Professional Lake Dredging Services in Eatonton, Georgia

Project costs are highly site-specific and depend on factors like sediment type, volume, and transport distance. We provide transparent, custom-tailored project quotes based on a detailed assessment. We encourage you to discuss your project specifics with our team for a fair and accurate estimate that aligns with your budget.

The highest variable cost for these projects is generally the logistics of trucking the dredged material offsite to a licensed disposal facility. Trucking fees depend on the distance to the disposal site, the volume of material, and current fuel costs. The most effective way to achieve significant savings is by establishing an area to safely contain and spread the nutrient-rich sediment on your property for beneficial reuse.

Common indicators that dredging is needed include visible shallowing of your cove or shoreline, the formation of small silt islands near water inlets, or an unnatural increase in aquatic plant growth. The best first step is a bathymetric survey. This specialized sonar mapping service measures the lake bottom profile to calculate the exact volume of accumulated sediment that needs to be removed to restore your water depth.

No, draining the entire water body is generally not required. We are equipped to perform mechanical dredging at full pool (full water level). However, this can complicate the operation and potentially increase the final cost depending on the current depth, etc. Complete drainage is almost never necessary for the completion of a restorative dredging project.

The main advantage is that water drawdown begins the dewatering process for the muck/sediment. This natural drying shortens the required curing time before the material can be spread or loaded onto trucks, leading directly to a lower overall project expense. An additional benefit is enhanced visibility, allowing our team and the property owner to monitor the precise progress and effectiveness of the sediment removal in real-time.

Nearly all reservoirs and lakes in the region are constructed and serve the vital role of water retention and management. Due to continuous surface runoff and erosion from the surrounding watershed, sediment accumulates at an estimated rate of around one inch per year. While visible shallowing is one result, the buildup also causes negative secondary effects such as poor water quality, excessive weed growth, and diminished fish habitat. Periodic restorative work, typically scheduled every 5 to 15 years, is essential for maintaining the ecological and recreational value of the lake.

We primarily utilize Mechanical Dredging, which involves specialized excavation machinery to physically scoop and remove the sediment (or "spoils") and debris. The spoils are then either spread on a designated area of the property or loaded directly into haul trucks for transport. The alternative is Hydraulic Dredging, which functions like a powerful underwater pump, sucking up a slurry of water and sediment and piping it into large fabric dewatering tubes (geotubes) on-site. The hydraulic method requires a longer drying period (several months) before the dried material can be managed.

The short answer is usually no, but environmental precautions must be taken. Any method of excavation will inevitably churn up bottom material, causing a temporary increase in water turbidity (sediment suspended in the water column). This impact can be effectively mitigated through the strategic use of turbidity containment barriers (silt curtains). Furthermore, maintaining sufficient water depth and oxygen levels in the unexcavated areas ensures that fish populations remain comfortable and healthy throughout the duration of the project.

"Spoils" is the term we use to describe all the extracted material—a mixture of soil, sand, silt, and decomposed organic matter—that is removed from the bottom of the lake. Depending on the local watershed, this material can vary from being mostly sand to a rich, dark muck. Crucially, this material is highly nutrient-dense and makes for excellent topsoil. Many clients use the spoils for on-site landscaping, farming, or gardening applications.