This environmental dredging is often necessary because sediments in and around cities and industrial areas are frequently contaminated with a variety of pollutants. Since massive ships carry the bulk of the goods imported into the country, dredging plays a vital role in the nation's economy.ĭredging is also performed to reduce the exposure of fish, wildlife, and people to contaminants and to prevent the spread of contaminants to other areas of the water body.

This water depth continues to increase over time as larger and larger ships are deployed. Vessels require a certain amount of water in order to float and not touch bottom. It is a routine necessity in waterways around the world because sedimentation-the natural process of sand and silt washing downstream-gradually fills channels and harbors.ĭredging often is focused on maintaining or increasing the depth of navigation channels, anchorages, or berthing areas to ensure the safe passage of boats and ships. The crews that run them named the biggest two King Kong and Godzilla, Champagne said.Dredging is the removal of sediments and debris from the bottom of lakes, rivers, harbors, and other water bodies. Below them is a core of smaller rocks about 2 feet (0.6 meters) long, with geotextile fabric lining the bottom beneath those, said Brian Champagne, project manager for Deep South Construction and Salvage, one of several companies on the project.Ī half-dozen excavators were at work Wednesday. The rocks being moved from barges on Wednesday weigh from 2.5 tons to 6 tons (2.3 metric tons to 5.4 metric tons). “A corner of the fort actually protruded into the water” before that earlier project, Grandy said.

It’s being armored with a mile of huge rocks, starting at the end of similar construction added in the early 2000s as part of work to preserve what remains of Fort Livingston. That will raise an island that averages 1 foot above sea level, with a maximum of 4 feet, to as much as 8 feet above sea level, said Brett Borne, project engineer for Coastal Engineering Consultants, Inc. The island’s outline won’t change greatly, because much of the sand will go on top of it.

What does working coastal dredge