Serving White Lake · Whitehall & Montague
We handle all permits — EGLE, Army Corps & County
White Lake's marine construction team
White Lake is big, busy and connected to Lake Michigan. We build seawalls that stand up to it, dredge shallow docks and bays, and handle every permit for you.
35 min
from our Fruitport yard to White Lake
200,000
cubic yards dredged on one lake job
40+ yrs
team experience on Great Lakes waters
100%
of permits handled for you
White Lake & beyond
White Lake is a 2,571-acre drowned river-mouth lake fed by the White River. It drains to Lake Michigan through a channel about 1/3 mile long. It has long fetches, heavy boat traffic and a history of sediment cleanup, so walls and dredging projects here need careful planning.
≈ 2,571 acres · channel to Lake Michigan
Long stretches of open water build real waves, and ice pushes hard in winter. Walls need heavy-gauge steel, deep embedment and strong tiebacks to last.
Most requested: steel seawalls · wall replacement · repair
East end · White River
The river brings sediment into the east end and the shallow bays. Docks there slowly lose depth. Targeted dredging brings boat access back.
Most requested: dock & bay dredging
Marinas & yacht clubs
With Great Lakes water below average, slips and fairways get tight. We dredge precisely between docks and plan sediment testing and disposal up front.
Most requested: slip & channel dredging · bulkheads
Fruitland Twp
A smaller lake between Whitehall and Muskegon with an outlet to Lake Michigan. Shallow edges and aging walls are common.
Most requested: seawalls · shoreline dredging
Open Great Lakes shoreline
White River and Fruitland Twp shoreline faces big waves and dune rules. Repair and plan protection now, while the water is low.
Most requested: revetment repair · Shore Savers™
Associations & boards
White Lake has an active lake association that monitors water quality. Groups planning dredging or shoreline work can talk to us early about scope, budget and permits.
Most requested: dredging plans · budgets
Services in Whitehall & Montague
White Lake's long open water builds real waves. We build heavy-gauge steel walls with deep embedment and strong tiebacks, and repair the ones that are failing.
Docks near the White River mouth and in shallow bays lose depth to river sediment. We plan testing, permits and disposal together.
White Lake marinas and yacht clubs need fairways and slips kept deep while the Great Lakes run low. Precise dredging between docks.
Lake Michigan frontage in White River and Fruitland Twps: revetment repair or Shore Savers™, planned while the water is low.
Also around Whitehall & Montague: dam repair, waterfront excavating and building moving & heavy hauling.
White Lake was removed from the EPA's Areas of Concern list in 2014, after more than 100,000 yd³ of contaminated sediment was cleaned up. Dredging permits here still need careful sediment testing, and we plan for it.
Below-average Great Lakes levels expose shallow docks, wall toes and scour. It's the right time to see what needs fixing.
Permits take about 2–6 months. Start this fall or winter to build in spring.
Permits in Muskegon County
Most Whitehall & Montague waterfront projects need more than one approval. We prepare the drawings, file the applications and deal with the agencies.
State + federal: EGLE & Army Corps
One Joint Permit Application covers both for most seawall, dredging and shoreline work.
County: soil erosion (Part 91)
Earth changes within 500 ft of a lake or stream need a Part 91 soil erosion permit from Muskegon County DPW.
Local: city, village or township
City of Whitehall, City of Montague, White River Twp, Fruitland Twp and Whitehall Twp have their own zoning and shoreline rules.
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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
All around White Lake, plus Duck Lake and the Lake Michigan shore.
Contractors Marine LTD
2966 Farr Rd, Fruitport, MI 49415 · (616) 836-1911
Proven on West Michigan lakes
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.
"Returned calls, completed project on time and budget, very knowledgeable and professional!"
Yes. We install and repair steel, vinyl, aluminum and wood seawalls around White Lake in Whitehall and Montague, plus on Duck Lake and the Lake Michigan shore.
White Lake was delisted as a Great Lakes Area of Concern in 2014 after a major sediment cleanup. Dredging permits typically need sediment testing and a disposal plan, which we prepare as part of the Joint Permit Application.
Most projects need an EGLE / U.S. Army Corps Joint Permit Application, a Part 91 soil erosion permit from Muskegon County DPW for earth changes within 500 feet of water, and local zoning approval. We handle all of it.
Our yard is in Fruitport, about 35 minutes south. We schedule site visits around White Lake regularly.
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.
Local crew. Honest advice. Permits handled. Book now for next season.
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Before you go
Getting seawall quotes on White Lake?
Our free guide shows what really drives the price, and the red flags that cost owners thousands.
