Little Sturgeon’s Robert Carmody Park and New Franken’s Bay Shore Park are being suggested as alternative boat launch sites once Chaudoir’s Dock closes for dredging operations next month.

The Door County Parks Department announced Wednesday that dredging operations will begin July 13.

This is the second phase of a dredging project with a price tag of more than $551,000. The project is being funded through a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and county boat launch fees. The county completed the first phase of the project last spring.

During the dredging process, a turbidity barrier will remain in place at all times to protect water quality.

The county dock and boat launch will be closed for six to eight weeks because of the confined nature of the harbor and the presence of dredging equipment. Parking also will be restricted because dump trucks will be needed to remove dredged material from the area.

Door County Parks Director Wayne Spritka said earlier this month during the ribbon-cutting ceremony at Sugar Creek County Park that boat launches such as Chaudoir’s Dock are typically dredged on a 10-year cycle. He added that the county will take advantage of the closure to complete other projects at the popular park.

According to the county website, the outer entrance to the harbor was dredged in 2001, again in 2005 during bin wall repairs caused by ice damage, and once more in 2014 because of low water levels.

Picture courtesy of Door County