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County reports McKinley Beach depths are adequate, Bender Boat Launch remains too shallow; dredging work ongoing
Summary
Parks staff reported that a recent bathymetric survey found average depths inside McKinley Beach breakwaters near 3.5 feet (within design targets), while Bender Boat Launch remains too shallow for safe harbor and requires dredging. Bender dredging has faced permit and bidding delays; staff said they will pursue dredging and report updates.
Parks planning staff reported to the committee on the condition of two Lake Michigan access points: McKinley Beach and Bender Boat Launch. The item was informational; no committee action was required.
Sarah Toomsen said county-contracted bathymetric surveying this spring showed McKinley Beach's water depth between the protective breakwaters is approximately 3.5 feet, which staff said is within the design target for that waiting beach. The lake level trends are upward currently, and staff said they will continue seasonal monitoring and move sand into the waiting beach if conditions warrant.
By contrast, Toomsen said Bender Boat Launch is currently too shallow to operate as a safe harbor. The dredging project funded in a prior budget amendment has required permits and has been put out to bid twice; bids received to date have been higher than available funds. Staff said they are exploring alternative dredging scopes and bid strategies to accomplish a functional reopening and have prepared a permit-ready design and an alternate bid approach, but further work is required. The committee discussed the need for timely action to restore safe harbor access and asked staff to return with procurement and scheduling updates.
Toomsen said dredging and associated work will proceed subject to bids and required DNR permits; staff expect to provide updated budget and timeline details at the next committee meeting.
