Title 33 — Navigation and Navigable WatersRelease 119-73

§426o–1 Great Lakes dredging levels adjustment

Title 33 › Chapter CHAPTER 9— - PROTECTION OF NAVIGABLE WATERS AND OF HARBOR AND RIVER IMPROVEMENTS GENERALLY › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER I— - IN GENERAL › § 426o–1

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary must dredge federal channels and harbors in and between the Great Lakes when lake levels are, or are forecast to be, below the International Great Lakes Datum of 1985 so the waterways keep the original minimum depths. Great Lake means Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron (including Lake St. Clair), Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario (including the St. Lawrence River to the 45th parallel).

Full Legal Text

Title 33, §426o–1

Navigation and Navigable Waters — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In this section, the term “Great Lake” means Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron (including Lake St. Clair), Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario (including the St. Lawrence River to the 45th parallel of latitude).

(b)In operating and maintaining Federal channels and harbors of, and the connecting channels between, the Great Lakes, the Secretary shall conduct such dredging as is necessary to ensure minimal operation depths consistent with the original authorized depths of the channels and harbors when water levels in the Great Lakes are, or are forecast to be, below the International Great Lakes Datum of 1985.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

“Secretary” Defined Secretary means the Secretary of the Army, see section 2 of Pub. L. 106–541, set out as a note under section 2201 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

33 U.S.C. § 426o–1

Title 33 — Navigation and Navigable Waters

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73