Town of Swansea Awarded Grant to Fund Dredging Plan for Cole River Channel Near Town Beach

SWANSEA — The Town of Swansea has been awarded a grant to cover the design work behind a plan for dredging the Cole River channel, near the Town Beach.

Swansea has been awarded an $88,000 grant from the Seaport Economic Council, and a $22,000 match was approved at Swansea Town Meeting, fully covering the $110,000 total project cost.

Woods Hole Group (WHG) will be the project consultant. WHG has already conducted bathymetric and sediment analysis studies and is currently assisting with a beach management plan in the vicinity of the channel and the Swansea Town Beach.

The goal of dredging the Cole River channel is to achieve consistent depths of between 9 and 10.2 feet across the active boating area.

The dredged material may help replenish Swansea Town Beach or the coastal dune, helping to keep it above the high-tide line, where the Town hopes to improve resiliency and remove woody invasive species.

WHG, with support from necessary sub consultants, will incorporate previous results and perform field investigations including additional bathymetric survey, sediment sampling, prepare and facilitate permit acquisition with local, state, and federal agencies, and prepare engineering plans. 

According to the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, the project area is suitable habitat for quahog, soft-shell clams and American oyster. Shellfish found in the proposed dredge areas will be carefully relocated.

Throughout the spring, WHG plans to conclude field investigations, sample sediment and take an additional bathymetric survey. Preliminary engineering and permits will be prepared through the summer of 2027. 

In May 2025, Swansea Town Meeting voters funded the creation of a Swansea Town Beach management plan, which the Town and WHG drafted and have been working to implement.

“This is just one small, but significant step toward improving the coastal regions of Swansea for boaters and beachgoers,” said Interim Town Administrator James Purcell. “The Swansea coastline is an important and vital Town asset, and our ongoing stewardship and careful planning will help to ensure this asset is protected and improved over time.”

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