Does Turbidity Curtain Have To Touch The Water Bottom?

by Frank
(Sterling, Virginia)

What is the proper use for a turbidity curtain?

Does the curtain have to touch the bottom along the full length? Couldn't silt get under the barrier if it wouldn't touch the bottom?

We have a river. The depths go from 2 feet to 15 feet at about a 45 deg angle, this varies. The silt must be contained. The project calls for a turbidity curtain that enclosed a large area of several barges.

The disturbance will be in a smaller confined area between the barges and shore.

What would be the Best Industry Practice B.I.P. for use of a type II turbidity curtain?

Thanks for asking. In general, all turbidity barriers should not touch the bottom. The barrier should be about 1 foot above the bottom so that there is no pressure against the barrier and it still can move.

Yes, silt could get under the barrier but the issue with the barrier being on the bottom is that the silt would build up on the curtain and make it not function properly.

To provide you the best industry practice we would need to receive further information in regard to your river dredging operation project such as 1. Water velocity, 2. Quiescent settling zone, 3. Project duration, 4. and also whether the site is contaminated.

It will be our pleasure to review the site plan once the factors are known.

The possible layout of the turbidity barrier type II installation can include one single containment curtain and a secondary containment curtain, or a containment curtain with a sheet pile header, or a containment curtain with a deflection screen on the leading edge.

If you can provide this information to a member of our Silt Barrier sales team, we will assist you with the optimal site solution for your project.

Feel free to call our Silt Barrier tech team at Granite Environmental @ (+1) 772-646-0597 with any questions you may have.

Another great customer service job by Granite Environmental's tech team!