Work continued this week on boring under the Coquille River and up the hillside on the south side of the the river. Progress on the west bore slowed, as unanticipated rock formations were encountered necessitating switching to a rock drill head. Precision drilling with the larger rock bit was difficult so work was suspended while a smaller rock drill was retrieved from southern California. With the smaller rock drill the west bore successfully emerged from the ground at the planned south vault area on Saturday morning. Today, they will begin cleaning and enlarging the bore in preparation for installation of the conduits.

During the past week Ducks Unlimited staff continued with GPS surveying and staking the 5 miles of tidal channels to be constructed. On Thursday, the pre-construction meeting with Knife River, Ducks Unlimited and Refuge staff was held at the Refuge office in preparation for Knife River beginning construction activities associated with the marsh restoration. On Saturday, the Coos County Road Department began vegetation mowing on the shoulders of North Bank Lane through the project area to facilitate construction activities.