Maryland Manages Sediment Pollution at Conowingo Dam

Jan. 4, 2018
The 90-year-old dam has sediment buildup that threatens the Chesapeake Bay water quality

The state of Maryland has announced plans to complete a pilot sediment dredging project of the Susquehanna River behind the Conowingo Dam. The dam, which was built in 1928, traps sediment to protect the Chesapeake Bay watershed from sediment pollution. The project will be conducted by Northgate-Dutra Joint Venture.

This initial dredging project is anticipated to be small. According to the Baltimore Sun, the state asked companies for bids to dredge 25,000 cubic yards of material. Officials estimate there is approximately 31 million cubic yards of sediment stuck behind the dam.

If the initial project is successful, then the state will consider a large-scale dredging project.