Dredging is generally meant to ensure proper performance of the waterways and ports by making them navigable and thus the reason why it is carried underwater or even partially underwater. As the water runs through the river, canal, lake or any other waterway, there is a slow accumulation of soil, silt, sand and other debris with time which makes it difficult for a boat, ship or canoe to easily navigate through these waterways and hence the reason why dredging process was introduced to get rid of all the accumulated sediments from both the bottom, and sides of these water bodies. A good dredging equipment is a key requirement for a smooth dredging process as it helps in excavating all the sand, silt and debris from the bottom, sides and backs of the water bodies and waterways. One benefit of having a piece of good dredging equipment is ensuring fast and efficient dredging process. Dredging has become very common around the world because of the varying uses. Here are various applications of dredging that can help in creating a suitable waterway or water body.
Various sediments like silt, sand, and debris accumulated in the bottom, backs and sides of the rivers, canals and other waterways tend to damage them over time and thus the reason for dredging to help remove all these sediments and restore the waterways to their original depths. Vegetation, trash and pollutants also damage the water bodies with time and hence the need for dredging to remove them and promote a properly functioning waterway. The other application of dredging is to create new waterways with an aim of boosting businesses and water transport. Dredging is generally meant to perform underwater excavation especially during the construction of bridges, docks, and piers. Another way through which dredging can be used is to increase the depth of the waterway. Dredging is also used in reclamation of a water body by removing various contaminants like sewage accumulation, chemical spills and others. Dredging is a very important step to boosting a good health of the fish, crabs, plants in water and other kinds of wildlife through removal of sludge, debris and other things that increase the risks to the wildlife and overall ecosystem. The other application of dredging is enhancing proper passage of the larger cargo vessels through deepening and widening of a waterway.
There are so many benefits and advantages of dredging which have encouraged many people and ports to use them. The first advantage of dredging is increasing the width and depth of the waterways hence promoting safety and efficient transportation by larger ships. The other reason why dredging is vital is that it prevents soil erosion on the shorelines thus preserving the environment. The removal of sewage accumulation, chemical contaminants, and other pollutants increases the general cleanliness of the waterways.