Detroit Marina Excavation and Resiliency

Revitalizing Detroit Lake and Kane’s Marinas for Seasonal Resilience

Shallow water levels in Detroit Lake have limited visitors’ use of the Detroit Lake and Kane’s Marinas for years. Accumulated sediment and lower water levels in the lake have resulted in shorter active periods for the marina which has meant limited moorage, boat rentals, and other services available to visitors for many summers. As part of supporting Marion County residents in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and 2020 wildfires, the County created a plan to ensure a more dependable lake season, which will boost the local economy. The County engaged MFA to provide engineering, construction, and communications support for its Detroit Marinas Excavation and Resiliency Project.

Transforming Excavated Sediment into Recreational and Habitat Enhancements

The project includes excavating the built-up sediment from around the Detroit Lake Marina and Kane’s Marina and reusing it elsewhere in the area to create a recreation destination that extends the Detroit Flats Day Use Area into the lake. The newly built-up area would increase habitat for fish and animals, create new fishing access, preserve existing boat channels, and allow people to talk out to an offshore island when water levels are low.

Comprehensive Engineering and Permitting for Detroit Marinas Excavation

On the engineering side, MFA prepared and coordinated the acquisition strategy, and documentation necessary to apply for  8 local, state and federal permits and approvals required for project construction. This effort included consultation with regulators, preparation of demonstrations of compliance with applicable rules and regulations to support permit applications, creation of project drawings and planning documents. We prepared the site design, specifications, drawings, schedule, cost estimates, and required quality and safety plans. For construction, our team also functioned as the Owner’s Representative, preparing the invitation to bid, holding pre-bid conferences and site walks, reviewing and logging submittals and questions, and preparing the Bid Analysis Memo to select the construction contractor. Once the permit reviews have been completed by federal and state agencies and construction begins, MFA’s engineers will oversee the project to final completion.

Strategic Community Engagement for Detroit Lake Resilience Project

As the engineering team developed the design, our communications team coordinated the community engagement process. Our experts drafted informational materials, including flyers, doorhangers, and a project website to explain the project to community members and other interested parties. We coordinated and facilitated a community open house at the Detroit Lake Fishing Derby and adapted a page on the website to serve as an online open house where community members could review information and submit comments. We summarized the community’s comments for the County to consider as it refined and advanced a preferred design alternative through the permitting process.