The cost to dredge Cow Creek, commonly known as Perch Creek, is much lower than expected.
Sarnia council will be updated on the project Monday, after staff warned last November the estimated $750,000 cost hadn't been accounted for in the 10-year capital budget, and could result in the need to delay or cancel other capital projects, or increase taxes.
Mark Moran represents a group of residents calling for the creek to be dredged. He said he's received positive news from the engineering department.
"It went to council at an October meeting and councillors voted unanimously to get the soil tested and asked staff to bring forward a plan," said Moran. "So they tested the soil, it is not contaminated, which greatly reduces the cost. My understanding is that it will cost $200,000 at the most to do a full dredging and fix this problem."
Moran said the sandbar, in the area just west of St. John in the Wilderness Church in Bright's Grove, has grown since the fall, and the waterway has been mostly blocked since December.
"The water level upstream is usually a foot and a half, to two feet, above what it should be, which is creating problems there. It's causing erosion, algae is forming... because water isn't being exchanged into the lake."
Moran is hoping city council will consider dredging it this year.
"The cost is so much lower than it was originally expected to be, that I myself think it's a no-brainer. Boating and recreation is one thing, but boating safety is a huge thing, because people would come to that part for safety if there was a storm, you wouldn't realize there is a shoal there and the next thing, you would be on it. This has happened."
City Construction Manager Robert Williams said they plan to reuse the sand since it doesn't have to be sent to landfill.
"We're hoping to keep that material for future beach nourishment, or to go back on the beaches," said Williams. "Our council request [to complete the dredging] right now is $300,000. Our high level estimate is between $250,000 and $300,000. So, we're looking for council to support that."
He's hoping they can do a temporary dredge for this year's boating season while paperwork is being done for the complete dredge.
"To complete the full dredge it would be approximately 500 truck loads, which was about 4,000 cubic meters or 10,000 tons."
Sarnia council meets virtually Monday at 10 a.m.
The agenda detailing the city's plan and dredging estimate will be released publicly Friday morning.