Our survey vessels provide hydrographic data to help maintain more than 400 miles of navigation channels vital to the Pacific Northwest. Corps survey vessels travel from Cape Disappointment on Washington's southern coast to the Chetco River on Oregon's coast, and from the Pacific Ocean east along to the Columbia River to McNary Dam. Sophisticated electronic equipment is used to survey river and harbor bottoms to determine where dredging is needed. Our boats also do special purpose surveys, support contract dredging and provide channel condition surveys.

Columbia River Side Channel Surveys are channel-line surveys of the projects adjacent to the Columbia River, such as ports or tributaries, which have a Federal-authorized channel. Channel-line surveys are survey lines which run parallel to the channel, 7 lines across, 150 feet apart.

Columbia River Surveys are channel-line and cross-line surveys of the Columbia from The Mouth of the Columbia to Vancouver Turning Basin. Channel-line surveys are survey lines which run parallel to the channel, 7 lines across, 150 feet apart. Cross-line surveys are lines that run perpendicular to the channel, bank-to-bank and are generally 500 feet apart.

Channel Status Reports represent the controlling depth per channel quarter of all the District's navigational channels for surveys made on the dates shown. See our methodology diagram of extracting controlling depths for more information.

These data files show results of surveys made on the dates shown and can only be considered as indicating general conditions present at those times. Reports are usually updated once a month. Results will open in a new window.

The survey vessel Elton, named after Arthur Elton, who significantly contributed to the Portland District’s navigation mission, is a hydrofoil-assisted catamaran designed for stability and precision in monitoring channel and harbor conditions and surveying areas requiring dredging. Its design enhances maneuverability and features hulls coated with a special paint to prevent sea life adhesion. Powered by diesel engines with reduced harmful emissions, the Elton's fuel tanks are isolated within the hulls to minimize the risk of fuel spills. Arthur Elton joined the Portland District’s Plant Maintenance Section in November 1993, playing a pivotal role in improving ship repair processes for survey boats and dredges like the Essayons and Yaquina. Under his tenure, the West Mark and Patterson were designed and constructed. Sadly, Art was diagnosed with lung cancer in September 2001 and passed away on September 27, 2003.

The survey vessel Redlinger, honoring the esteemed Corps leader Jake Redlinger, is a hydrofoil-assisted catamaran designed for stability in monitoring channel and harbor conditions and conducting precise dredging surveys. Its design offers enhanced maneuverability and features hulls coated with anti-fouling paint to deter sea life. Powered by eco-friendly diesel engines, the Redlinger's isolated fuel tanks minimize the risk of spills. Jake Redlinger, who began his career at the Portland District in 1966 after graduating from Kansas State University, was highly respected for his dredging expertise and accomplishments. He notably contributed to the Prince William Sound oil spill cleanup in 1989 and was an active member of professional engineering societies. Before his passing on December 1, 1997, Jake served as the navigation manager at the Northwestern Division.

The Portland District’s hopper dredges Yaquina and Essayons, work to ensure a safe “highway” for ships and other vessels. The hopper dredge is a specialized sea-going vessel designed to dredge and transport dredged material from ocean bars, fast flowing rivers and isolated harbors to open-water disposal areas. A hopper dredge works somewhat like a vacuum cleaner. More details about Portland District's dredging and survey vessels are outlined below.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ hopper dredge was delivered to the Portland District in 1983. The Essayons, operated by a merchant marine crew, helps maintain the entrance bars, rivers and harbors on the coasts of California, Oregon, Hawaii, Alaska and, in emergencies, the Mississippi River. Because of its size and dredging depth, the Essayons is particularly well-suited for dredging the larger coastal entrances and larger volume sand deposits in river channels.  Click here for more about the Essayons. 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ hopper dredge Yaquina, operated by a merchant marine crew, was delivered to the Portland District in 1981. The Yaquina helps to maintain the entrance bars, rivers and harbors on the coasts of Oregon, California and Washington. Because of its size, the Yaquina is particularly well-suited for dredging the small, shallow coastal entrances and smaller, shifting sand deposits in river channels. Click here for more about the Yaquina.