Jetties and Breakwaters

Yaquina North Jetty Rock Removal

Troutdale, Ore.

The Yaquina North Jetty project required rebuilding the jetty with previously placed rock that storms and natural wave action had displaced over the years. Typically, more rock is added at the tip to replace rock that has washed out. However, over the years so much rock had been added that it encroached on the entrance channel. A 165-ton derrick barge removed the displaced rock at the tip of the jetty using a large rock grapple. The salvaged rock was then placed onto a 1,200-ton capacity flat deck barge and transferred to the north side of the jetty. In order to take advantage of the short summer season, the rock removal operation went on around-the-clock, seven days a week. 43,000-tons of rock were removed and relocated, with the largest pieces between 20 to 32-tons each.