The marina is closed now for the winter and all the boat-owners have removed their vessels for dry-dock storage elsewhere. The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) is taking advantage of the quiet time, and the open water that still exists along the Ottawa River, to get repair work on the marina boat launch.

The DFO hired a contractor to remove the existing asphalt near and around the ramp area and also remove the asphalt on the covered panels. The contract crew will also remove the existing concrete panels for later disposal and then dredge the launch site to accommodate the new ramp.

The new boat launch ramp design calls for continuous precast concrete panels. Repair and replacement work began during the week of December 9, with the goal of completion before the river freezes.

Meanwhile the DFO will do a marine survey and study of the marina area, as part of its plan to upgrade the breakwaters that provide protection for boats moored at the marina during the summer. Emergency repairs were done earlier in the year to recover and reattach some of the tires, which had broken loose from the three floating breakwaters and sunk to the river bottom, to replace one broken anchor chain, and other work.

Now the DFO has hired a specialist to do a field review of the marina, as part of plans for a new breakwater setup. The review will include a survey study of the river habitat around the marina, including determining what fish and other creatures and plants exist, a review of the shoreline and other features, assessment of potential shoreline erosion impact to help determine what would be the best design for a new permanent breakwater setup at the marina.

The DFO should have a final report and recommendations on the situation for Champlain Township council later in 2020.