Morro Bay Harbor Awarded $4.1M for Dredging Project

Funding also secured for Port San Luis breakwater maintenance

Apr. 16, 2026 at 11:10am

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A photorealistic studio still life featuring a polished metal anchor, a coil of thick rope, and a vintage compass, conceptually representing the maritime infrastructure and navigation needs of the Morro Bay Harbor and Port San Luis.Federal funding will help maintain the critical maritime infrastructure of Morro Bay Harbor and Port San Luis, supporting their roles in the regional economy and emergency response.San Luis Obispo Today

The Morro Bay Harbor in California has been awarded $4,144,000 in federal funding for a dredging project, announced U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal. An additional $23,000 was secured for breakwater maintenance at the nearby Port San Luis. The funding will help maintain safe navigation and support the harbors' roles in maritime commerce, tourism, and emergency response.

Why it matters

Morro Bay Harbor and Port San Luis are critical regional hubs for economic activity and public safety operations in San Luis Obispo County. The dredging and breakwater maintenance projects will help ensure these harbors can continue serving their important functions for the local community.

The details

The federal funding for the Morro Bay dredging project and Port San Luis breakwater maintenance was secured through the Fiscal Year 2026 congressional funding and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Work Plan. The Morro Bay dredging will help keep the harbor at appropriate depths so that commercial vessels, recreational users, and emergency response ships can operate safely. The Port San Luis breakwater has been in use for over 100 years and requires regular maintenance to protect the port from heavy waves.

  • The federal funding was announced on April 16, 2026.

The players

Salud Carbajal

U.S. Representative who announced the federal funding for the harbor projects.

Carla Wixom

Mayor of Morro Bay, who thanked Rep. Carbajal for his advocacy on behalf of the city's harbor.

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What they’re saying

“Both Morro Bay Harbor and Port San Luis serve important roles in San Luis Obispo County's economy and emergency response services. This federal funding will ensure both harbors have the resources they need to maintain key infrastructure so commercial, recreational, and emergency response vessels can continue to navigate safely.”

— Salud Carbajal, U.S. Representative

“On behalf of the City of Morro Bay, I want to thank Representative Salud Carbajal for his continued advocacy for our harbor and our community. This funding is vital to maintaining safe navigation in Morro Bay Harbor and protecting the commercial, recreational, and emergency response activities that are so important to our local economy and quality of life.”

— Carla Wixom, Mayor of Morro Bay

What’s next

The dredging project and breakwater maintenance work are expected to begin in the coming months, with the goal of completing the projects before the end of 2026.

The takeaway

The federal funding for the Morro Bay Harbor dredging and Port San Luis breakwater maintenance underscores the importance of these regional maritime hubs to the local economy and public safety. The projects will help ensure the harbors can continue supporting commercial, recreational, and emergency response activities in San Luis Obispo County.