The process of removing sediments and debris from the bottom of water bodies such as lakes, rivers, ports, and other water bodies is called dredging. This video explains the goals that dredging companies strive to achieve. Due to sedimentation, or the biological cycle of silt and sand flowing downstream progressively filling channels and docks, dredging is a necessity.
Vessels need to have a specific volume of water in their holds to stay afloat. The primary objective of dredging companies is often to maintain or increase the depths of waterways, bays, or berthing sites to guarantee the uninterrupted movement of vessels.
Removing debris and sediments is another service provided by companies that dredge waterways to lessen the risk of contamination to fish, wildlife, and people and stop the contaminants from spreading to other parts of the aquatic environment.
Aside from creating additional land, dredging also provides materials such as sand and gravel for building islands, residential and commercial buildings, overpasses, and freeways and offers protected and safe areas for the wildlife. Dredging companies also aim to extract valuable materials such as rare metals, gemstones, precious stones, and fertilizers from the earth’s crust.