Project Description
The residents of Gulf Cove have reported that shoaling within the maintained canals has occurred since they were last dredged in 2010. Concerns regarding safe navigation within the canal have been brought to the County’s attention, prompting the initiation of this project. The Gulf Cove Waterway MSBU Committee has requested and approved a budget for survey and design only. Noting construction planning and services will be considered after all data is collected, bathymetric survey will be conducted on all 35 canals within the waterway system, and data will be collected for the design of a -4' MLW depth. The data will be reviewed and presented to the MSBU with a recommendation on whether to proceed with an interior dredge project.
Project Schedule: Shall be completed after discussions with Coastal Engineering Consultants.
Project Scope and Budget: Needs to be established with the Advisory Board at its next meeting on August 14, 2025.
Project Location
Gulf Cove Waterway System, Port Charlotte Fl, 35 Interior Canals.Project Impacts
No negative impacts are expected as a result of this design project. This MSBU can expect to gain improved depth for safer navigation from the dredging.
Latest Updates
The Gulf Cove interior dredge design project has been in a holding pattern since hurricane Ian. Post storm surveys were conducted to find what changes had accrued to the shoaling within the canal system. In addition, the consulting firm that performed the survey was to determine if significant changes had accrued which would prompt application to FEMA for aid. Unfortunately, there was not enough historical data to produce credible shoaling rates, therefore not providing enough evidence to support such claims.
Update as of May 9, 2025: AIM Engineering and Surveying will resurvey parts of the exterior channels so that we have a survey of those that is 100% post-Milton. An updated proposal will be requested from Coastal Engineering Consultants for a new survey of the interior waterways since that firm is the Engineer of Record on the project to prepare plans for the interior dredging project.
Update as of July 22, 2025: AIM Engineering and Surveying has resurveyed parts of the exterior channels so that we have a survey of those channels that is 100% post-Milton. An initial review of the survey indicates that only the most northerly 12 exterior channels need dredging . An updated proposal will be requested from Coastal Engineering Consultants for a new survey of the interior waterways since that firm is the Engineer of Record on the project to prepare plans for the interior dredging project.
Update as of August 15, 2025: A new schedule for the Design Development, Construction and Closeout Phases, respectively shall be completed after discussions with Coastal Engineering Consultants and the Advisory Board at its next meeting on August 14.
NOTE: The Advisory Board meeting, scheduled for August 14, was cancelled due to the lack of a quorum.
Supporting Materials
Project Phase
Design Development
Last Updated
08/15/2025
Project Manager
DeWayne Nodine
Public Relations
Chad Ray
Email Public Relations
Project Number
c391203
Sponsor Department
Public Works Engineering
Design Engineer/Architect
Coastal Engineering Consultants, Inc.
Construction Contractor
TBD