Mechanical Dredging
Your Go-To for Mechanical Dredging in Michigan & the Great Lakes Region
When your project demands precision, power, and efficient material handling, Contractors Marine provides expert mechanical dredging services across Michigan and the surrounding Great Lakes states, including Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. We deliver robust solutions for complex sediment removal, ensuring your waterways are clear, your shorelines are stable, and your projects proceed smoothly and compliantly.
How Mechanical Dredging Works for Your Project
Mechanical dredging utilizes powerful excavation equipment, like excavators, long-reach machines, or clamshell dredges, to physically scoop and remove bottom materials. This material is then typically loaded into barges or scows and transported to a designated disposal or processing site. It’s often the preferred method when you encounter
- Heavy, Dense, or Rocky Material: Mechanical dredging is ideal for removing stiff clays, silts, rock, debris, or highly consolidated sediments that might be challenging for hydraulic methods.
- Precise Excavation Needs: When you need to dredge within confined spaces, alongside structures, or to exact depths, the controlled movements of mechanical equipment offer superior precision.
- Contaminated Sediments: This method allows for more contained removal of contaminated materials, reducing dispersion and facilitating specialized disposal or treatment.
- Limited Water Access: If you have areas with restricted water depths or difficult access where a floating pipeline isn’t feasible, mechanical dredging can often still reach your project site.
When Mechanical Dredging Is Your Best Solution in the Great Lakes
Our mechanical dredging services are perfectly suited for a range of projects you might have in the region:
- Marina & Dock Expansion/Maintenance: Clearing slips and approach channels in busy marinas along Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, or inland lakes like those in Michigan and Wisconsin.
- Channel Deepening & Widening: Improving navigation in river systems like the Maumee in Ohio, the Grand River in Michigan, or the Chicago River in Illinois.
- Shoreline & Pier Foundation Work: Excavating for seawall construction, rock revetments, or pier installations where precise material removal is critical.
- Environmental Remediation: Targeted removal of specific contaminated hot spots in harbors or industrial waterways, adhering to strict state environmental protocols.
- Utility & Pipeline Trenching: Creating precise trenches underwater for new infrastructure installations.
Our mechanical dredging solutions offer you a faster mobilization time compared to some hydraulic setups. While the spoils (bottom material) in scows require additional handling for transport and offloading, we meticulously plan this process to ensure maximum efficiency for your project, whether it involves bottom dumping in approved locations or transferring to trucks for transport to recycling or disposal facilities.
Navigating Regional Dredging Regulations—We Handle All Your Permits!
Understanding and complying with the diverse regulatory landscape across the Great Lakes states is paramount for your mechanical dredging project. At Contractors Marine, we take the burden off your shoulders by handling all necessary federal and state permitting and regulatory compliance for you.
Our team possesses in-depth knowledge of the requirements from agencies like the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for navigable waters and state environmental protection agencies (e.g., Michigan EGLE, Ohio EPA, Indiana IDEM, Illinois EPA, Wisconsin DNR, and Minnesota DNR). We ensure your project adheres to all environmental standards from start to finish, particularly concerning:
- Sediment Testing & Characterization: Crucial for determining appropriate disposal methods, especially for potentially contaminated materials.
- Disposal Site Approval: Securing approvals for upland disposal, beneficial reuse, or confined disposal facilities (CDFs).
- Water Quality Monitoring: Ensuring compliance with turbidity and discharge standards during operations.
- Sensitive Habitat Protection: Navigating regulations concerning fish spawning seasons, wetland impacts, and protected species.
We proactively manage the complexities of permitting and compliance for you, working closely with all relevant agencies to streamline your project’s approval process and ensure a smooth, compliant operation.
Your Trusted Partner for Mechanical Dredging in the Great Lakes
Contractors Marine is dedicated to delivering customized mechanical dredging solutions that meet your specific needs and budget. Our extensive experience and regional focus ensure your project is completed correctly, on time, and in full compliance with all regulations, including the crucial task of permit acquisition.
Contact us today for a site evaluation and to discuss your mechanical dredging project in Michigan or the surrounding Great Lakes states! Let us handle the permits so you can focus on your goals.