DNR to Delay Dredging of Buffalo Reef
In Houghton County, MI, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has postponed its plan to dredge the Keweenaw's Buffalo Reef until next year.
The DNR aims to remove copper mine tailings, known as stamp sands, from the Buffalo Reef fish spawning habitat in Grand Traverse Harbor. The stamp sands pose a threat to the spawning habitat and recruitment areas crucial for Lake Superior whitefish and lake trout associated with Buffalo Reef.
Harbor dredging efforts by the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and others have maintained the waterway's accessibility for fishing, boating, and other recreational activities.
The DNR has cited a poor bidding environment and potential conflict with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who are working on the harbor wall, as reasons for rebidding the project to be undertaken in 2026.
Author's summary: DNR delays Buffalo Reef dredging until 2026.