More than 400 ports and 25,000 miles of navigation channels are dredged throughout the United States to keep traffic operating efficiently.The U.S. Maintenance dredging operations involve the repetitive removal of naturally recurring deposited bottom sediment such as sand, silt, and clays in an existing navigation channel.

Consumer product prices stay low when ships can transport their goods directly into the port.Ĭonstruction of new navigation channels involves removal of materials previously undisturbed. Periodic maintenance dredging as well as occasional enlarging and deepening of navigation channels is essential to accommodate commercial and recreational vessels. Without dredging, many harbors and ports would be impassable to passenger liners and cargo ships. Once sediments are dredged from the waterway, they are called dredged material. After the initial excavation needed to establish a channel, dredging must be done periodically to keep it clear and safe for navigation. Underwater excavation is called dredging. Few rivers or harbors are naturally deep. With their increased size, ships need improved navigation channels to enter and leave ports efficiently, quickly, and safely.

Dredges definition