The Wiggins Pass and Doctors Pass Dredge Project is progressing well. Dredging is being wrapped up at Wiggins Pass in the next few days and dredging equipment will then be moved to Doctors Pass. Crews expect to start dredging Doctors Pass the week of March 14. The dredged sand from Doctors Pass will be placed on the beach in the Lowdermilk Park area. Approximately 65,000 cubic yards of sand from Wiggins Pass and 25,700 cubic yards from Doctors Pass is expected to be removed.

Boaters are reminded to use extra caution navigating through the inlets and stay well away from dredging activities. Channel markers in the vicinity of the dredge may be temporarily removed and will be replaced when dredging is completed.

Major maintenance dredging at both Wiggins Pass and Doctors Pass typically occurs on a four-year cycle with minor interim dredging in-between. Annual monitoring surveys are performed to keep a close eye on the condition of the inlets, and to observe the performance of the periodic maintenance dredging. Gator Dredging is the county’s contractor for this project. Funds for the $2 million project are provided from Tourist Development Taxes and partial reimbursement may be provided by a grant from Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Any questions or concerns should be addressed to Collier Coastal Zone Management at 239-252-2966, or CZM@colliercountyfl.gov.