SAN FRANCISCO BAY HARBOR
OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE

PROJECT LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION

The project is located approximately five miles west of the Golden Gate Bridge in the waters leading into San Francisco Bay. This high use, deep draft Project provides for annual maintenance dredging to be performed on the San Francisco Main Ship (Bar) Channel to attain a 55 foot project depth at Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW). This critical channel, which is the gateway to San Francisco Bay, is 2,000 feet wide by 16,000 feet long. Infrequent maintenance dredging of various other channels within the Port of San Francisco may also be performed.

FY 23 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Funds are being used for commonly performed O&M work, to include dredging the main ship channel with the government dredge Essayons.
• Funds will be used for commonly performed O&M work.

FY 24 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Dredging of the main ship channel.

ISSUES AND OTHER INFORMATION

• All commercial deep-draft and national defense shipping to San Francisco Bay, San Pablo Bay, Suisun Bay, Sacramento, and Stockton must traverse through this project.  Extremely hazardous bar conditions resulting from winter storms require annual dredging for safe navigation.  Over 60 million tons of waterborne commerce traverse the San Francisco Bar entrance channel annually. With the completion of the 50-feet deep channel at the Port of Oakland, the continued maintenance of the 55-feet deep Bar Channel is essential.
• The City of San Francisco has expressed intent to request beneficial re-use of SFMSC dredged sand to alleviate ongoing erosion along Ocean Beach that threatens vital municipal wastewater treatment infrastructure.

CONGRESSIONAL INTEREST

• 12^th District, Rep. Nancy Pelosi

POINT OF CONTACT

• Deputy for Project Management, Thomas R. Williams, 415-503-6560

Updated on 29 February 2024

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