Hydraulic and Mechanical Dredging
Here is a quick overview of the 2 main dredging options
Hydraulic dredging is the preferred solution for removing soft lake-bottom sediments such as muck, silt, and sand. A specialized dredge pumps a mixture of water and sediment through a pipeline to a designated disposal site, allowing large areas to be restored efficiently with minimal shoreline disturbance. Hydraulic dredging is ideal for improving water depth, navigation, waterfront access, and overall lake health.
Mechanical dredging is the preferred solution for removing dense vegetation, compacted sediment, and localized material from lakes and waterways. Using a crane-mounted bucket or clamshell, material is lifted directly from the lake bottom and loaded into barges or trucks for disposal. This method provides precise excavation in targeted areas, making it ideal for boat channels, marinas, shoreline restoration projects, and locations where hydraulic dredging is impractical or access is limited.
