Why Build a $250 Million Rock Wall in the Ocean?

Welcome to the Columbia River jetty system, also known as the MCR. This historic rock wall system protects the Columbia River, a vital trade route, from the fury of the Pacific Ocean.

After decades of Mother Earth giving the jetty everything she's got, it was time for another rebuild.

Enter JE McAmis, a marine construction contractor specializing in jetties like these. To make it happen, they brought in over 400,000 tons of special jetty stones from quarries, often hundreds of miles away.

Then, to rearrange the existing stones and place the new ones, they used a custom-built 6020B excavator—one of the most unique machines I've seen!

You can learn more at USACE's website here: https://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/jetties/