When selecting dredging equipment for a project, any marine contractor, government agency, or port district must initially determine: – with a focus on application and operation – along with the advantages and limitations of each dredge type. What follows is an in-depth discussion of the equipment used for dredging projects throughout the U.S. The dredging of various bodies of water can also be utilized to reduce fish, wildlife, and people’s exposure to in-water contaminants. The process of removing loose to compacted sediments and debris from the bottom of lakes, rivers, and harbors is paramount to the maintenance and expansion of navigation channels. This technique is often used to keep waterways navigable. Dredging is an excavation activity or operation usually carried out at least partly underwater, in shallow seas or fresh water areas with the purpose of gathering up bottom sediments and disposing of them at a different location. These environmental impacts can significantly hurt marine wildlife populations, contaminate sources of drinking water and interrupt economic activities such as fishing.Vintage engraving of a 19th Century Steam Dredger. Dredging systems can either be shore-based, brought to a location based on barges, or built into purpose built vessels.ĭredging has significant environmental impacts: it can disturb marine sediments, leading to both short- and long-term water pollution, destroy important seabed ecosystems, and can release human-sourced toxins captured in the sediment. Dredges have been classified as suction or mechanical. In all but a few situations the excavation is undertaken by a specialist floating plant, known as a dredger.ĭredging is carried out in many different locations and for many different purposes, but the main objectives are usually to recover material of value or use, or to create a greater depth of water. Possible reasons for dredging include improving existing water features reshaping land and water features to alter drainage, navigability, and commercial use constructing dams, dikes, and other controls for streams and shorelines and recovering valuable mineral deposits or marine life having commercial value. Wikipedia Rate this definition: 0.0 / 0 votesĭredging is the excavation of material from a water environment.
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