The excavation of material from a natural or manmade body of water is referred to as dredging. Dredging allows the expansion of a body of water and may support the construction of functional or decorative features that will improve a waterway.

The Accrual Of Materials

Construction crews often use diggers, forklifts, and other heavy-duty machines to excavate materials from dry land, but these machines will not be useful to excavate a waterway. Heavy materials, including sand, silt, and household waste may accumulate at the bottom of a body of water. If a lot of materials accumulate, the depth within a waterway will be lessened.

Excessive waste can also impede the manner in which a body of water is accessed. For instance, if sediment has piled up along the bottom and sides of a lake, a dock's usage may be affected. It wouldn't be safe or practical for someone to utilize a watercraft that could become immobile due to a buildup of sediment along a waterway's interior. Dredging involves identifying materials that need to be removed, choosing a dredge, and vacuuming up loose material.

The Process

If you own a body of water that is within an area where active construction will take place, the inspection of the water bed will be conducted first. Dredge equipment includes suction and mechanical dredges. A dustpan or a hopper may be used to suction loose debris. If hard, thick materials are stuck to the bottom or sides of a waterway, a mechanical dredge that contains an auger attachment will be used to cut through materials or drill holes in them.

The use of an auger attachment is necessary for large projects that require the removal of a lot of materials. A crew who performs a dredging task may use a separate vacuum apparatus to collect loose debris that isn't effectively collected with the use of a dredge. 

The Aftermath

Murky water, foul odors, and a decrease in the amount of aquatic fish and plants that are within a body of water could be related to excessive sediment or waste buildup. After construction site dredging has been conducted, water should be treated. Water treatment efforts will restore the pH of water. The introduction of new plants and fish can be conducted once a construction project has been completed. The person who performs a water purity test will deem a body of water safe for the addition of aquatic life.

For more information, contact a service that provides construction site dredging.