Grand Canal (Dents Channel) Dredging
Project Location
Dents Channel in Tierra Verde
Project Status
Construction: Completed
Project Overview
The project involved dredging of the Grand Canal entrance channel. As permitted, the Grand Canal entrance channel was dredged to approximately 11.5 feet deep and 3,000 feet long. This dredging will permit large vessels to continue to access navigable waters via the Grand Canal. The sand dredged from the Grand Canal project was used in the Pass-a-Grille Beach Nourishment project.
The previously proposed deposition basin, which was to act as a sand trap, will not be constructed at this time due to the emergence of seagrass in approximately half of the basin area.
Project Background
In recent years, large amounts of sand accumulated at the entrance of Grand Canal (Dents Channel). A recent feasibility study by coastal engineering consultants found that, without human intervention, the entrance to Grand Canal could have closed within the next five years.
Project Location
Project Timeline
- Design: July 2020 – June 2022
- State & Federal Permitting: June 2021 – June 2023
- Construction: June 3, 2024 – June 27, 2024
Community Outreach
Feb. 27, 2024: Pinellas County held a virtual pre-construction community update meeting from 6-7 p.m. via Zoom to provide information on the upcoming dredge project and answer questions from the community.
Sept. 8, 2021: Pinellas County held a virtual Project Information Meeting from 6-7:30 p.m. via Zoom to update the community on the project’s progress, share new information and answer questions.
Project Funding
This project was supported by Federal award number SLFRP4653 awarded to Pinellas County Government by the U.S. Department of the Treasury (American Rescue Plan Act).