Army Corps of Engineers and the dredging industry have worked hard to develop techniques that protect all entities affected by the dredging process, including the delicate handling of natural environments along the coastline.

Often, this sand is relocated and used to build barriers to protect coastlines from natural erosion.Īt first glance, removing sand from the ocean floor may not seem helpful to the environment. When protecting coastal environments, the dredged material is usually sand. Once removed, it is transported and disposed of or used for another purpose. During the process, the material is first loosened at the bottom of the surface, then removed by suction or mechanical means. Environmentalists, government officials, and community leaders turn to the dredging industry to protect their shrinking coastlines, as well as the ecosystems and communities surrounding them.ĭredging is the process of removing material from the bottom of a water environment.

As the frequency of these events rises, coastal communities worry about their future.

The forces of nature wreak havoc on coastlines.

How does sand dredging work