Benefits of dredging
Improving watercraft navigation, flood control
and water quality.
.
East Naples Bay Dredging and Rock Removal Project Drone Fly Over Notice
On Tuesday, April 23, 2024, contractors for the City of Naples will be flying a drone from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. to laser scan canals that have not been dredged yet. To ensure compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, the drone will maintain an altitude of 99 feet during its flight over the canals. This is to remain below the maximum allowable height of 100 feet within the approach zone to Naples Airport. The drone will only be using its laser scanning technology to gather data on the canal beds. It will not be taking any photographs or capturing images of private property or individuals during its flight.
East Naples Bay Dredging and Rock Removal Project
The City of Naples is beginning the East Naples Bay Dredging and Rock Removal Project in the canal systems within the East Naples Bay Special Taxing District. Dredging is important to the routine maintenance of waterways as sedimentation, the natural process of sand and silt washing downstream, gradually fills waterways. The goal of this project is to dredge the East Naples Bay canal system to a consistent depth and remove rock and sediment. Benefits of dredging include improved watercraft navigation, flood control and water quality.
The contractor, Quality Enterprises, expects to begin in the northern canals near the Naples Bay Resort and generally progress south. Crews will work in one canal at a time, with work starting at the far end of the canal and progressing outward towards the bay. Dredging timeframes will vary depending on the length of the canal and the amount of dredging, both project related and privately contracted, in each canal. The city-contracted dredging is expected to be completed in end of 2025.
What to Expect During Construction
Crews are expected to work during the daytime hours from approximately 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Work timeframes in each canal will vary depending upon the length of the canal. Crews will generally work in the middle of the canal during the city-contracted dredging. The barge and dredging operation will have the right-of-way during construction. In most cases, it will be necessary for you to relocate your watercrafts during construction. Every effort will be made to notify you prior to the start of dredging in your canal so that you are able to move any watercrafts. Please be on the lookout for notifications to relocate your watercraft. Once construction begins in your canal you will be unable to move your watercraft for any reason.
To assist residents in relocating their watercrafts, City Code Enforcement has agreed to temporarily allow watercrafts on trailers to be parked in driveways and alongside residences during dredging activities in your canal. If your watercraft is located on a lift, it will not need to be relocated, unless otherwise specified.
To minimize impacts to the surrounding community, the contractor will utilize a mechanical cutterhead attachment on an excavator to cut through the rock during the dredging process. This methodology will reduce sound and vibration and enhance job performance. Additionally, the contractor will monitor vibration during dredging and removal activities to confirm they are within acceptable standards. Vibration monitors will be placed in the back yards of homes in order to effectively monitor and record vibration activity.
Construction Schedule
FAQ's
No, boats can remain on lifts during dredging unless otherwise specified
The City of Naples is allowing homeowners to keep their boats on trailers at their homes during dredging.
An update was sent in July 2022 letting homeowners know private dredging will not be offered due to schedule constraints.
No, vessels must be temporarily relocated into other bodies of water, on trailers outside of the canal, or relocated to other storage facilities.
Yes. Boats can be relocated to other canals before crews begin work and then relocated back to your dock when the work has been completed.
No. Residents will not have access to remove or replace their vessel during construction working hours from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. This will help to keep crews on schedule so that they can complete construction and allow residents to resume using their vessels without restriction.
Yes. Boats can be recreationally utilized outside of construction hours, but they cannot be replaced during the hours of 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Once crews are in place to perform dredging activities for the day, your dock will no longer be accessible via the canal during those hours.
See schedule on website (subject to change).
Crews will do their best to work around and avoid any vessels that are not temporarily relocated, but homeowners/boat owners will assume the risk of possible damage if their boat is not relocated during construction activities.
Yes. Crews will perform dredging activities one canal at a time and then move to adjacent canals once activities are finished (see schedule on website).
Residents may attempt to coordinate with homeowners on adjacent canals to relocate vessels.
If your boat cannot be relocated to a trailer or other water body, the Naples City Dock may have boat slips available. Vacant spaces fill up fast and this option should be used as a last resort.
Yes, there will be some level of construction noise while crews are dredging, but crews will closely monitor construction activity to be sure they are operating within allowable limits.
Work begins in October 2023 in the Royal Harbor area.
The primary cause delaying the dredging project was attributable to Hurricane Ian last year. Equipment for the dredging project was moved prior to the storm. A significant amount of new material found its way into the canals. Collier County’s contractor had to re-survey the canals and collect hurricane debris before work could restart. The survey required review by City of Naples staff, the City Engineer, and the contractor. The contractor re-commenced dredging on September 25, 2023.
As a result of Hurricane Ian, the additional dredging costs will most likely cost the City of Naples approximately $1 million. The East Naples Board is reviewing this matter closely. In addition, the East Naples Bay Board has requested that the City of Naples make a claim with FEMA for $1 million plus for expenses incurred as a direct result of Hurricane Ian.
The dredging project needs a staging area to rent once it moves its activities to the southern part of Royal Harbor. If you have potential empty lot options, please contact the County’s contractor, Quality Enterprises (QE), at [email protected].
Private Dredging Available to Residents
In addition to the dredging of the City’s canals, homeowners can contract directly with the contractor to dredge their dock area. Private dredging can be contracted directly with Quality Enterprises. If you are interested in getting more information and a proposal for private dredging, please contact Jack Hooper at Quality Enterprises via email at [email protected] or via phone at (615) 495-6102. Please contact Quality Enterprises by October 15, 2021 to ensure your private dredging can be contracted prior to the dredging process in your canal. If private dredging is not contracted before dredging in your canal is complete, additional fees will apply to the homeowner.
