Silt and Turbidity Curtain Made in the USA by GEI Works

Turbidity Curtain Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question about silt and turbidity curtains? Please review some of our frequently asked questions below.

Questions? We can help. Call us: 1-772-646-0597or contact us to discuss your project.

floating silt curtainFrequently Asked Questions:
Can I rent a silt/turbidity curtain?
What sizes do the silt/turbidity curtains come in?
How do I know what depth I need?
Which silt/turbidity curtain should I use?
What are the maximum water conditions for each curtain?
What site conditions do I need to evaluate?
What's best for shallow water or sheetflow control?

1. Can I rent a turbidity curtain?

No. Unfortunately, at this time our turbidity curtains are for purchase only.

2. What sizes do the silt/turbidity curtains come in?

Lengths: Turbidity curtains are typically sold by the section. Standard section lengths are either 50 feet or 100 feet.

Depths: Depths for the curtains will vary significantly and are dependent on the water depth/conditions in your location. Standard depth for all curtains is 5 feet, however, the depths of our curtains can range anywhere from 3 to 100 feet.

3. How do I know what depth I need?

Depth for the turbidity curtain is chosen based on the depth of the water in your location. As a standard rule of thumb the depth of skirt should extend down until it is about one foot (1') from the floor. This allows the curtain to provide maximum containment without the bottom of the skirt getting bogged down with settled silt/turbidity/sediment.

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4. Which silt/turbidity curtain should I use?

Choosing the right silt curtain for your location is often dependent on different site factors and conditions. The standard classifications for our silt curtains are as follows:

  • Type 1: Calm Water
  • Type 2: Medium Water Conditions
  • Type 3: Fast Water Conditions

5. What are the maximum water conditions for each curtain?

  • Type 1: 0 fps, still water and calm areas
  • Type 2: 1 knot, moderate winds and waves under 2'
  • Type 3: 1.5 knots, moderate winds and waves under 2'

6. What site conditions do I need to evaluate?

For many locations the three most influential factors on the silt curtain are wind, waves and current. Depending on where your work area is located these factors can act as a force on the turbidity curtain causing it to move and adjust while installed. This, in turn, can limit the turbidity curtain's ability to contain silt and sediment in a given location.

If you are dealing with a site that has any of the above conditions a Type 2 or Type 3 silt curtain will probably work best for your area. These silt curtains include the addition of a single or dual tension cable along the top of the curtain. This increases the strength of the curtain and its ability to hold up to moving water areas.

Anchoring: The second thing required for any moving water condition is effective anchoring. Spacing and anchor types will change by area, but should typically include, at a minimum, shoreline anchors and anchoring along the barrier every 50 or 100 ft.

Construction BMPs: Filter socks and self bailers are proactive construction BMPs to manage site runoff. While many sites choose to place construction BMPs directly inside the drain, self bailers and filter socks go one step further to filter runoff at the source. This method addresses and controls pollution before it even reaches the drain system. A Turbidity Meter can also help determine your water's turbidity level to help select the proper silt curtain.

7. What's best for shallow water or sheetflow control?

Staked Turbidity Barrier is used either for controlling turbidity in calm and shallow (less than 30 inches) waters, or for directing stormwater and sheet flow runoff on construction sites. Our staked turbidity barrier meets US DOT requirements for use as a BMP and part of your SWPPP.

View our entire Turbidity Curtain Variety.

For a better understanding of turbidity, visit our page concerning Stokes Law and Turbidity Currents.

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If you have questions please call us at +1-772-646-0597 or request a price quote.