Dunkirk breakwall repairs protect fishing destination
Graphic courtesy of Kaylee Wendt | U.S. Army Construction resumes with repair of the Dunkirk Harbor west breakwater by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District. The project restores the breakwater's ability to protect the harbor.
Photo courtesy of Forrest Fisher The repair work starts from the Central Avenue pier dock at sunrise each day, with the equipment and loaded rock barge moving to the outer harbor location shown in this photo. Completion is set for November.
Graphic courtesy of Kaylee Wendt | U.S. Army Construction resumes with repair of the Dunkirk Harbor west breakwater by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District. The project restores the breakwater's ability to protect the harbor.
Photo courtesy of Forrest Fisher The repair work starts from the Central Avenue pier dock at sunrise each day, with the equipment and loaded rock barge moving to the outer harbor location shown in this photo. Completion is set for November.
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A recent walleye fishing trip out of Chadwick Bay offered more than cooperative fish -- it also provided a front-row seat to one of the most important infrastructure projects underway along New York’s Lake Erie shoreline.
As we worked the waters outside Dunkirk Harbor, crews were busy rebuilding the outer breakwall. Watching the operation was impressive. Huge interlocking stone armor units, resembling giant puzzle pieces, were carefully fitted into place one at a time to reinforce the existing structure and raise its height against the pounding waves and crushing ice that Lake Erie regularly delivers.
The work is part of the second phase of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ rehabilitation of the Dunkirk Harbor outer breakwall. The first phase restored about 1,850 feet of the structure. The current $4.5 million federally funded work (phase 2) will repair the remaining 450 feet and is expected to continue through November.
Most anglers probably don’t give the breakwall much thought until they need it. But anyone who has fished Lake Erie knows how quickly calm conditions can become rough. The breakwall provides a protected entrance and safe refuge when the weather turns, making it a critical asset for both recreational and commercial boaters.
Its value extends well beyond navigation safety. Chadwick Bay Marina has become a popular destination for traveling anglers pursuing Lake Erie’s world-class walleye and smallmouth bass fisheries. Throughout the season, visiting fishermen trailer and dock their boats at the marina for weekend trips, multi-day excursions, and major fishing tournaments. Those visitors help fuel the local economy by staying in area hotels, eating at local restaurants, purchasing fuel, bait, tackle, ice and supplies, and supporting numerous waterfront businesses.
The improved breakwall will help ensure that Dunkirk remains one of the region’s premier fishing ports for years to come.
"Dunkirk Harbor is a critical component of the Great Lakes Navigation System, supporting economic growth in the local economy," said Lt. Col. Aaron Anderson, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Buffalo District. "We look forward to delivering this project on time and within budget, ensuring Dunkirk’s waterfront continues serving the local community and the country." Completion is set for November of this year.
Construction is not expected to interfere with normal harbor navigation, although boaters should give construction equipment and work vessels a wide berth while passing through the area.
Sometimes the biggest investments in fishing aren’t hatcheries, stocking programs, or new boat launches. They’re projects like this one -- protecting the harbors that safely welcome anglers home after another day on Lake Erie. Judging by what I saw this week, that investment is being built to last.
Gotta love the outdoors
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July 25: Chautauqua Lake White Perch Challenge, Chautauqua Reel Bait & Tackle at Asheville Bay Marina, 25-fish basket, 6 a.m. to noon, $20 entry fee, kids under 12 free, see Mike Sperry, call 716-763-2947, register at the bait shop.
July 25: Chautauqua Lake Bassmasters Open Tournament, Prendergast Boat Launch, $100/boat, five-fish limit, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., two-man team or solo. Register at launch site.
July 25: Introduction to Upland Hunting, Chautauqua County Bird Dog Association at the Randolph Rod/Gun Club, 4424 Van Slyke Road, Randolph; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; lunches and up to 125 rounds of ammo provided. Limited to 20 participants: must be at least 21 years of age; Contact Paul Steward at 716-397-2855. Will also include a mentored pheasant hunt in October.
July 26: Ellington Rod & Gun, "Don't Know Partner Trap League," 1045 Hagerdon Hill Road, Ellington; Info: 716-287-3987.