 Dredging of channels for shipping began in 1881; periodic dredging of the entrance and shipping channels maintains a depth of .These cumulative changes and water action have resulted in severe erosion at the bay's entrance, where approximately of Buhne Point, which had formerly visually blocked the entrance to the bay, washed away between 1854 and 1955.Most of the large sloughs around the bay have been protected with levees.