the film forum library tutorial contact

Corps Starts Work on Columbia River Jetty by Staff The Daily News, August 6, 2008

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is beginning repair work this week on the North Jetty sand berm at the mouth of the Columbia River.

During the work an area adjacent to the north jetty and along Benson Beach will be closed to the public. The work will be completed no later than Sept. 15, according to the corps.

The berm is a natural buffer adjacent to the north jetty near Cape Disappointment State Park, providing extra protection from storms. It was damaged during the winter storms in 2007.

The agency has hired Great Lakes Dredge and Dock to pump 125,000 cubic yards of sediment dredged from the mouth of the Columbia River onto Benson Beach for repairs to the sand berm.

"This repair is key to preventing storm waves from damaging the jetty itself," said Doris McKillip, project manager.

The north and south jetties are rock structures that stretch thousands of feet seaward. They restrict and speed up the Columbia's flow, helping it sweep silt out of shipping lanes.