Through dredging, channels are kept deep enough and wide enough for the safe movement of ships from deep ocean waters to the more than 200 deep-water harbors in the United States, where imports are unloaded and exports are loaded. Army Corps of Engineers' role as the Federal water resource agency with the primary mission for constructing and maintaining a safe, reliable, and economically efficient navigation system. Our forebears recognized this and passed the General Survey Act of 1824, which established the U.S. Thus, maintenance of navigation channels helps the world economy by promoting efficient trade. Dredging Makes Senseīillions of cubic yards of material are removed from sites around the globe annually in an effort to keep big ships and their cargo moving. More than 400 ports and 25,000 miles of navigation channels are dredged throughout the United States to keep traffic operating efficiently.Ĭlick here to learn more about DQM and the dredging community. Maintenance dredging operations involve the repetitive removal of naturally recurring deposited bottom sediment such as sand, silt, and clays in an existing navigation channel. Consumer product prices stay low when ships can transport their goods directly into the port.Ĭonstruction of new navigation channels involves the removal of previously undisturbed materials. Periodic maintenance dredging as well as occasional enlarging and deepening of navigation channels are essential to accommodate commercial and recreational vessels. Without dredging, many harbors and ports would be impassable to cargo ships and passenger liners. Once sediments are dredged from the waterway, they are referred to as "dredged material." Therefore, they require underwater excavation or "dredging." After the initial excavation establishes a channel, periodic or "maintenance" dredging must be done to keep that channel clear and safe for navigation. However, few rivers or harbors are naturally deep. With their increased size, ships need improved navigation channels to enter and leave ports efficiently, quickly, and safely.
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