Hydraulic Dredging In Lake and Pond Maintenance

Dragonfly Pond Works is able to provide an exciting service in hydraulic dredging with our Dino 6. Proper lake and pond maintenance will most likely include dredging at some point to keep the lake or pond healthy and in compliance with applicable regulations. Dragonfly Pond Works is committed to keeping your lake or pond healthy, beautiful, and compliant. In addition, Dragonfly Pond Works always strives to leave the smallest ‘footprint’ in and around your lake or pond. One of the ways we are able to accomplish this as a lake and pond maintenance contractor is through hydraulic dredging as opposed to conventional dredging. We recently completed a Charlotte pond repair with hydraulic dredging that met all of these principles.

There are several reasons dredging of a lake or pond may be required. Lakes and ponds have original designs that include permitted slopes and grades. Over time, the slope may change and require dredging and/or shoreline restoration to again be compliant. Another reason that dredging may be required is due to a buildup of material on the bottom. Enough build up will cause a lake or pond to become shallow which makes it vulnerable to flooding. Additionally, wildlife may move away from a shallow body of water to a healthier water source. This departure can lead to invasive species taking control of a lake or pond. Dragonfly Pond Works provides regular maintenance to keep your lake or pond healthy. When necessary, we will complete dredging to remove buildup, alter water depth, and correct slope changes.

Conventional dredging usually involves the lake or pond to be drained. Heavy machinery then removes the material from the bottom of the body of water and stores it in a containment area where it is left to dry. The dried material is then hauled away. The use of heavy machinery throughout this method can have a significant impact on the surrounding area due to the large footprint left.

Dragonfly Pond Works is able to utilize hydraulic dredging through our Dino 6. The body of water does not have to be drained when we use hydraulic dredging. The dredge maneuvers through the water with the capability of dredging to a depth of 13 feet. It pumps material from the bottom directly into bags made of a geotextile fabric. This fabric keeps the sediment inside while allowing the water to drain. This method drastically reduces the use of heavy machinery and as such minimizes any disturbance to the surrounding area. This method is also more efficient due to the body of water not needing to be drained.

Bag Layout at Biltmore Forest, Ashville, North Carolina

Bags being filled by material during shoreline restoration in Preston Village, Cary, North Carolina

Hydraulic dredging also aids in efficiency due to the fact that dredged material can be immediately reused for shoreline restoration or graded into the landscape. In these instances, two bags are placed along the shoreline. The dredge pumps the material directly into these bags using its six inch pump at 1500 GPM (gallons per minute). Once the top bag is full, it can be cut open and the material is graded to meet the desired slope. Another benefit of the Dino 6 is that it can be launched by a reach forklift. The reach forklift can launch the it over retaining walls and other challenging to access areas.

As a lake and pond maintenance contractor, we have the ability to complete hydraulic dredging projects throughout North Carolina, in Raleigh, Cary, Durham, Charlotte, and Wilmington. We also provide hydraulic dredging services throughout Florida, in Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, Naples, Sarasota, and Fort Myers; in addition to hydraulic dredging in Charleston, Columbia, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Atlanta, Georgia.

Contact Us To Learn More About Hydraulic Dredging!

From Maryland to Florida, Dragonfly Pond Works serves clients throughout the mid-Atlantic region, including corporate, commercial, and public accounts, residential customers, and homeowner associations. We strive to develop long-term relationships based on quality work, timely service, cost efficiency, and of course, trust. Please contact us if you would like to learn how we can help you create a beautiful space and sanctuary. Don't forget to check out our Facebook page!

Special thanks to Dragonfly Pond Works Regional Manager, James Wehbie, for contributing to this article.