If you are hiring dredging contractors in Palm Beach County for the very first time, it is natural to think about how the crew will manage all the work. Will there be heavy equipment? How will sediment be removed? What will happen to the materials when they are taken out? And how will your property look when work is finished completely?
Well, the good news is that a professional dredging project follows a planned process. Even if every project is different, dredging is all about site preparation, equipment setup, sediment removal, cleanup, and material management.
For Florida waterfront properties, the process also needs to account for environmental and permit needs. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) regulates most dredging and filling activities in wetlands and other surface waters through its Environmental Resource Permitting Program. Here is what you can expect on dredging day.
Here is Why Do Florida Marinas Need Dredging?
What Is The Process Of Dredging?
Site Preparation (Before Dredging Day)
The actual dredging work is only a part of the project. When the crew is on the site with the equipment, they check the site and plan the project. A professional dredging contractor will carefully check factors such as:
- Current water depth
- Size and location of the dredging area
- Amount and type of sediment
- Nearby docks, boat lifts, or other structures
- Environmental considerations.
We start the process with a consultation and site assessment to know the property and find out the right dredging approach.
Permits and Environmental Requirements
Dredging needs permits or other authorizations, and it depends on the location and scope of the work. Florida’s ERP program covers a lot of activities that involve dredging and filling in the wetlands and surface waters. Some of the coastal and navigational projects have additional requirements. For example, FDEP’s beaches, inlets, and ports program can handle various Environmental Resource Permits and Joint Coastal Permit applications that involve navigational dredging of ports and inlets.
There are various projects that involve the federal Clean Water Act’s Section 404 requirements. Florida’s State 404 Program page notes that projects in state-assumed water can need both ERP and State 404 authorization.
Because permitting needs depend on the specific project and location, property owners should have their contractors confirm what approvals apply before any of the work begins.
Permit Requirements for Marine Dredging Projects in Florida (2025 Update).
The Crew Arrives
Once the project is ready to start, the dredging crew begins with the needed equipment at the site. The equipment used mostly depends on the size and location of the project, the sediment type, water depth, and the desired result.
The crew positions the equipment so that sediment is removed from the approved dredging area. It also minimizes disturbances to nearby structures and the surrounding environment. You will notice dredging equipment, crews, temporary noise, sediment getting removed, and equipment or containers.
The amount of activity you see mostly depends on whether a small residential dock or boat lift area is dredged or a larger marina or canal project.
The Sediment Is Removed From The Water
It is the main part of the dredging day. Dredging mostly involves removing accumulated material from the bottom of the waterway. The material can include silt, sand, mud, and other sediment that builds up over time.
The goal is to remove material while following the project’s planned dimensions so the waterway or docking area reaches the needed depth and protects surrounding areas. For a private dock or boat lift, water depth restoration makes it easier for boats to enter, exit, or operate.
What Happens To The Dredged Material?
When you remove sediment from the water, it does not mean you need to leave it wherever possible. How it is handled depends on the project, site conditions, materials, and permit needs. It is important to transport the removed material, depending on the project, to an approved placement or disposal location.
That’s because dredging is more than just excavating sediment. It also needs to be transported and managed well. Coastal dredging states that its process includes responsible sediment disposal and site cleanup after dredging. For larger coastal projects, the approved placement location can also affect permitting needs. For example, FDEP finds that some navigational dredging projects involve placement of material on beaches or in the nearshore areas.
Will The Water Look Different During Dredging?
It is possible for the water to look cloudier or more disturbed when dredging takes place. When you remove sediment from the bottom, it naturally disturbs the area where the work is happening. The amount of visible disturbance mostly depends on the type of sediment, dredging equipment, water conditions, and project size.
It does not necessarily mean something is wrong. A professional dredging project should be planned with environmental protection in mind. Make sure the permit conditions include requirements designed to avoid or minimize unacceptable impacts. FDEP explains that coastal dredging projects should be reviewed to ensure any of the issues are avoided or minimized, and permitted projects should be monitored to confirm that unacceptable impacts do not arise in the future.
What to Expect Before, During, and After a Marine Dredging Project?
What About Your Dock or Boat Lift?
If you are getting a residential dock or boat lift dredged, the work mostly focuses on the restoration of enough water depth for safe and convenient access. Sediment buildup can make it difficult for the boats to reach a dock. It can even interfere with the operation of a boat lift. Shallow water can also increase the risk of hitting the bottom with a hull.
Our experts providing dock and lift services at Coastal Dredging can help remove the buildup and restore the needed water depth around these areas. You may need to temporarily keep the boats away from the work area till the dredging and cleanup are complete.
How Long Does Dredging Day Take?
There is no standard number of hours or days for every dredging project. A small dock or boat lift project can be very different from dredging an entire marina or canal. The timeline mostly depends on the amount of sediment, needed depth, size of the dredging area, type of sediment, site accessibility, permit requirements, and sediment transportation.
Our professionals note that the project timeline depends on the size and complexity of the work, and it even provides an estimated timeline after the initial assessment.
What Happens After The Dredging Is Done?
After removing the sediment, the project moves toward the cleanup and completion stage. Here, the crew will finish removing the planned sediment, clean the work area, manage and transport the dredged material, and check that the site is ready for normal use.
Our coastal dredging contractors in Palm Beach County clearly explain how the cleanup will be done, and it is the final stage of the process. For larger permitted coastal projects, we monitor everything regularly to make sure the work follows the applicable requirements.
