Clearing the way

The Weeks Venture, a cutterhead dredge, spent last week clearing silt and debris from the New Madrid County Port's slack water harbor. Debris from last year's high water still remains around the top of the harbor while a year later the dredge is having to dig deeper than ever before to ensure the safety of barges loaded at the harbor. (Photo by Jill Bock, Staff)

Dredge clears silt, debris at New Madrid County Port

jillb@standard-democrat.com

NEW MADRID - It almost looked like something out of a science fiction movie. The boat creeped forward on large metal legs then lowered the slow-spinning sphere-shaped blades into the water churning up the bottom.

The Weeks Venture, a cutterhead dredge, spent last week clearing silt and debris from the New Madrid County Port's slack water harbor. This week it will be at work at the New Madrid harbor.

For the crews of the towboats and barges using the Port's slack water harbor, it was a welcomed sight, said Timmie Hunter, director of the New Madrid County Port. "I know the tenants were pleased and the farmers as well," Hunter added.

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