New peninsula forms on Silver Beach due to dredging, beachgoers advised to keep off

ST. JOSEPH, Mich. -- Every year, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dredges the mouth of the St. Joseph River in St. Joseph, but this year, a new dredging technique has created a new peninsula just south of Silver Beach.

Doug Krafft, the U.S. Engineering Research and Development Center Research Civil Engineer explains the dredging is meant to maintain a clear navigation channel for the St. Joseph River to provide easier access for boats and commercial ships.

They do that by removing 83,000 cubic yards of sand and sediment from the channel and pumping it near the beach to replenish sand.

The thumb-shaped addition is also part of research to see how the dredged sand could impact the cloudiness of the water, as the peninsula can help concentrate water movement.

"We do expect this technique to be one of the most effective ways of getting from something a little muddier to something that's nice and sandy on the beach." Krafft states.

While beachgoers are enjoying this addition, officials blocked the peninsula from the shoreline with a fence and several 'keep out' signs, as the sand on the peninsula can feel more like quicksand.

Through rare, people or equipment could get trapped if the sand isn't settled.

Krafft cautions, "since it is a lot of sanding moving around and since its being added quickly in fairly deep amounts, just kind of in that initial timespan, they are requesting people to not go out onto it, just in the small off chance that part of it is unconsolidated."   

Though, this dredging is not stopping Berrien County residents from enjoying the addition to the beach. 

Berrien County resident and surfer, Jason Ryan, says the point of the peninsula helps him surf.

"It looks amazing, it reminds me of Hawaii a little bit because of the nice point", says Ryan. 

The dredging is supposed to last until early August, though the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers say large waves may halt dredge work.