SWANSEA — The Town of Swansea has received an $88,000 grant to fund design work for a proposed dredging project in the Cole River channel near Swansea Town Beach.
According to Swansea Interim Town Administrator James Purcell, the $88,000 grant was awarded through the Seaport Economic Council. A $22,000 local match approved at Swansea Town Meeting will cover the remainder of the $110,000 project cost.
Woods Hole Group (WHG) will serve as the project consultant. The firm has already completed bathymetric and sediment analysis studies and is also assisting the town with a beach management plan in the area of the channel and Swansea Town Beach.
The proposed dredging project is intended to create consistent depths between 9 feet and 10.2 feet throughout the active boating area, Purcell said.
Material removed during dredging could be used to replenish Swansea Town Beach or the coastal dune, helping keep the area above the high-tide line as the town works to improve coastal resiliency and remove woody invasive species.
“WHG, with support from necessary sub consultants, will incorporate previous results and perform field investigations including additional bathymetric survey, sediment sampling, prepare and facilitate permit acquisition with local, state, and federal agencies, and prepare engineering plans,” Purcell said. “According to the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, the project area is suitable habitat for quahog, soft-shell clams and American oyster. Shellfish found in the proposed dredge areas will be carefully relocated.”
Woods Hole Group is expected to complete field investigations, sediment sampling and the additional bathymetric survey throughout the spring. Preliminary engineering and permitting work will continue through the summer of 2027.
Purcell said that in May 2025, Swansea Town Meeting voters funded the creation of a Swansea Town Beach management plan, which the town and Woods Hole Group have drafted and are working to implement.
“This is just one small, but significant step toward improving the coastal regions of Swansea for boaters and beachgoers,” Purcell said. “The Swansea coastline is an important and vital town asset, and our ongoing stewardship and careful planning will help to ensure this asset is protected and improved over time.”
