The York County dredge arrived in Wells on May 10th, where it will be moored and utilized by the Town of Wells and communities throughout York County to assist in rebuilding the coastline.
The County decided to purchase the dredge back in December 2022. York County bought the Ellicott dredge using federal money to replenish beaches after the devastating winter storms. It has been housed at Saco Public Works Department for over a year. Wells and York County came to a three year agreement to moor the dredge in Wells.
It was assembled over the past two weeks and was launched last night at Portland Yacht Services. The dredge got underway from Portland at 7:30 AM this morning and arrived in Wells Harbor around 2:30 PM this afternoon, where it will remain moored until utilized.
"Now they've built it, now it's put here, they, people will come, meaning that people, other communities will come forward and protect their shoreline and it will just become a routine,” Kevin Roch from Save our Shores said.
Wells will have priority of the dredge to complete dredging projects over the next year. We are happy to house the dredge equipment here in our harbor and look forward to the many improvements that it will allow for.