The District is proposing a dredging project to remove accumulated sand and woody debris from the lower portion of Devils Lake near the D River outlet. Over the past two decades, storm surges and high-tide events have pushed ocean water—laden with sand, logs, and debris—up the D River and into the lake. Because maintenance dredging has not occurred in over 20 years, it’s estimated that more than 2,000 cubic yards of sand have built up in the lower reaches.

This buildup has several consequences:

• It restricts water flow out of the lake, which may contribute to localized flooding along canals on the southwest side.
• It has limited recreational access in the shallow southern portion of the lake.
• It may be impeding the migration of coastal salmon that travel up the D River to spawn in Devils Lake’s tributaries.

After years of study and coordination, the District is proposing to mechanically dredge the accumulated sand and debris and transport the material off-site for proper disposal. Due to the shallow nature of the lake, the sensitive wetlands to the north, and regulatory restrictions on in-water disposal, this approach represents the most feasible and environmentally responsible method.

Carrying out this project requires extensive coordination and permitting with multiple agencies, including state and federal environmental regulators and Lincoln City. In addition, dredging can only occur during a limited in-water work window—typically in August—to protect fish and aquatic habitat.

The District’s goal is to complete dredging in August 2026, though federal permitting requirements could delay the project by one to two years.

While dredging may not fully resolve all flow and flooding challenges, the District believes it will temporarily restore natural flow from the lake to the D River and improve navigation and fish passage—until ocean tides again deposit new sediment and debris.

The District has submitted an application that involves activity in a wetland or waterway to the Department of State Lands (DSL). This project is to remove up to 2000 cubic yards of sand deposited from king tides at the SW end of Devils Lake (where the lake ends and D-River begins) to increase flow, help with area flooding, support migration of salmon, and make this area recreational again.

This permit is available for public comment until December 18, 2025. Submit comments here: Public Comment for Devils Lake Dredging Project.