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We handle all permits — EGLE, Army Corps & County

Contractors Marine LTD logo
Contractors Marine dredge pipeline on a West Michigan lake near Muskegon

Muskegon County's local marine contractor

Seawall & Dredging Contractor in Muskegon, MI

Muskegon Lake. Mona Lake. Bear Lake. Lake Michigan. We build seawalls, dredge silted-in water and stop erosion — and we file every permit for you.

  • Yard in Fruitport — 20 min away
  • EGLE, Army Corps & county permits
  • Own dredge & heavy equipment
  • Honest written price

Free Muskegon Estimate

Step 1 of 2

30 seconds. No obligation.

What do you need?

20 min

from our Fruitport yard to Muskegon

200,000

cubic yards dredged on one lake job

40+ yrs

team experience on Great Lakes waters

100%

of permits handled for you

Your lake, our backyard

Muskegon-Area Waters We Work On

Muskegon County has about 9,600 acres of lakes, and each one acts differently. Some are connected to Lake Michigan. Others are quiet inland lakes. Your wall, your dredging plan and your permits depend on which lake you're on. We know the difference.

Map of Muskegon-area lakes served by Contractors MarineIllustrative map showing Lake Michigan, Muskegon Lake, Bear Lake, Mona Lake and Spring Lake, with the Contractors Marine yard in Fruitport.LAKE MICHIGANMuskegon LakeBear LakeMona LakeSpring LakeMuskegon RiverMuskegonNorth MuskegonMuskegon HtsNorton ShoresOur yard · FruitportIllustrative · not to scale

≈ 4,150 acres · connected to Lake Michigan

Muskegon Lake

Long open fetch means real waves, plus ice push in winter. Walls here need heavy-gauge steel, proper embedment and strong tiebacks. Marinas need slips and channels kept deep.

Most requested: steel seawalls · marina dredging · wall repair

≈ 695 acres · channel to Lake Michigan

Mona Lake

Shared by Norton Shores and Muskegon Heights. Creeks and runoff carry sediment that settles near shore and in canals, so boat access gets shallow over time.

Most requested: dredging near docks · seawall replacement

≈ 415 acres · channel to Muskegon Lake

Bear Lake

A quieter, residential lake in North Muskegon. Older wood and light-gauge walls are now reaching the end of their life. Shallow edges make it hard to reach the dock.

Most requested: seawall replacement · shoreline dredging

Open Great Lakes shoreline

Lake Michigan Frontage

Big waves, moving sand and dune rules. Water levels are low right now. That makes it the best time to repair or plan protection before the next high-water cycle.

Most requested: revetment repair · Shore Savers™ · planning

Our home water

Spring Lake & Fruitport

Our yard is right here. For Fruitport and Spring Lake owners that means fast site visits and lower mobilization costs.

Most requested: seawalls · canal dredging

More about Spring Lake & Fruitport

Inland lakes & ponds

Lake Harbor, Duck Lake & More

Private lakes, ponds, retention basins and dams across Muskegon County. Lake associations: ask about restoring a whole lake.

Most requested: hydraulic dredging · dam repair

Services in Muskegon

What We Do for Muskegon Waterfront Owners

Seawall Installation & Repair in Muskegon

Muskegon Lake's waves and ice are hard on walls. We replace and repair leaning, rusting or leaking walls with heavy-gauge sheet driven deep, with real tiebacks.

Hydraulic cutter-suction dredge used for Muskegon-area lake dredging

Lake Dredging in Muskegon

Restore depth on Mona Lake, Bear Lake and inland lakes. Mechanical dredging near docks, hydraulic dredging for big areas, with spoils sites and sediment testing planned.

Dredging equipment used for Muskegon-area marinas and channels

Marina & Channel Dredging

Muskegon Lake marinas and yacht clubs lose slip depth when the Great Lakes run low. We dredge between docks precisely and keep your season moving.

Rock revetment protecting a Lake Michigan shoreline near Muskegon

Shoreline Erosion Control

Lake Michigan frontage from Muskegon to Norton Shores: revetments repaired to the drawings, or Shore Savers™ to keep your beach usable.

Also around Muskegon: dam repair, waterfront excavating and building moving & heavy hauling.

Why Muskegon Owners Are Calling Now

Low water exposes problems

Lakes Michigan and Huron ran about a foot below average going into 2026. Shallow slips, exposed wall toes and shoals all show up when water is low.

High-water damage is still there

The record highs around 2020 pushed waves and ice hard against many walls. Leaning caps and failing tiebacks are often damage from those years.

Permits take 2–6 months

Want work done next season? Start the permit process this fall or winter so you're ready when the weather is.

Permits in Muskegon County

We Handle Every Permit. You Sign Once.

Most Muskegon waterfront projects need more than one approval. We prepare the drawings, file the applications and deal with the agencies.

  1. 1

    State + federal: EGLE & Army Corps

    One Joint Permit Application covers both for most seawall, dredging and shoreline work.

  2. 2

    County: soil erosion (Part 91)

    Earth changes within 500 ft of a lake or stream need a permit from Muskegon County DPW, or from your city's own program (e.g. Norton Shores).

  3. 3

    Local: city, village or township

    Muskegon, North Muskegon, Norton Shores, Muskegon Twp, Laketon Twp, Fruitport Twp and others may have their own rules.

CHECKLIST Michigan Waterfront Permit Checklist

Not sure what your project needs?

Get our free checklist: every permit, every step and real timelines.

Free tool

How Much Silt Is in Your Muskegon Lake Front?

Measure your area. See your volume instantly. Then get a free estimate report.

Tip: desired depth minus current depth.

Where is the project?

Estimated volume to remove

667 yd³

Dump-truck loads*

56

Area

0.21 ac

Likely best method

Mechanical dredging

*~12 yd³ per 3-axle dump truck. Volume = length × width × depth ÷ 27.

Communities we serve

Serving All of Muskegon County

From Whitehall to Fruitport and from the Lake Michigan shore to Ravenna, if there's water, we can work on it.

  • 📍 Muskegon
  • 📍 North Muskegon
  • 📍 Muskegon Heights
  • 📍 Norton Shores
  • 📍 Roosevelt Park
  • 📍 Muskegon Twp
  • 📍 Laketon Twp
  • 📍 Fruitport
  • 📍 Twin Lake
  • 📍 Whitehall
  • 📍 Montague
  • 📍 Ravenna

Contractors Marine LTD

2966 Farr Rd, Fruitport, MI 49415 · (616) 836-1911

Proven on West Michigan lakes

A 12-Acre Lake, Brought Back to Life

At Mirror Lake we tested the sediment, got the EGLE permit, built a 4.5-acre spoils pond about ½ mile away and dredged ~50,000 yd³. The lake was usable for boating as soon as we finished.

See the full project
"Returned calls, completed project on time and budget, very knowledgeable and professional!"
— Contractors Marine client

Muskegon Seawall & Dredging FAQ

Do you build seawalls in Muskegon?

Yes. Our yard is in Fruitport, about 20 minutes from Muskegon. We install and repair steel, vinyl, aluminum and wood seawalls on Muskegon Lake, Mona Lake, Bear Lake and other Muskegon County waters.

What permits do I need in Muskegon County?

Most projects need a Michigan EGLE / U.S. Army Corps Joint Permit Application. Earth changes within 500 feet of a lake or stream also need a Part 91 soil erosion permit from Muskegon County DPW or your city's own program, such as Norton Shores. Local zoning may apply. We handle all of it.

Can you dredge marina slips on Muskegon Lake?

Yes. Mechanical dredging with an excavator or barge works well between docks and in tight slips. With lower Great Lakes water levels, many marinas need slips and channels deepened.

Do you work on Mona Lake and Bear Lake?

Yes. We work on Mona Lake, Bear Lake, Muskegon Lake, Lake Harbor, Lake Michigan frontage and inland lakes across Muskegon County.

How much does a seawall cost in Muskegon?

Seawalls are priced per foot. The price depends on wall height, sheet length and gauge, tiebacks, cap material and site access. We give free site evaluations and written estimates.

Muskegon Waterfront Project? Let's Look at It — Free.

Local crew. Honest advice. Permits handled. Book now for next season.

📞 (616) 836-1911
📞 Call Now