GREAT LAKES MUD
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    • Dredging
    • Dry Excavation
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    • Indiana >
      • East Branch - Grand Calumet River AOC
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      • Lake George Canal Middle & East - Grand Calumet River AOC
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      • Black Lagoon - Detroit River AOC
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      • Ryerson Creek Outfall - Muskegon Lake AOC
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    • Minnesota >
      • Azcon/DSPA Slip - St. Louis River AOC
      • Minnesota Slip - St. Louis River AOC
      • Munger Landing - St. Louis River AOC
      • Scanlon Reservoir - St. Louis River AOC
      • Slip 3 and Slip C - St. Louis River AOC
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      • Buffalo River - Buffalo River AOC
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      • Ashtabula River - Ashtabula River AOC
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      • Ottawa River - Maumee AOC
      • Otter Creek - Maumee AOC
    • Wisconsin >
      • Greater Milwaukee Estuary - Milwaukee Estuary AOC
      • Hog Island Inlet - St. Louis River AOC
      • Howards Bay - St. Louis River AOC
      • Kinnickinnic River - Milwaukee Estuary AOC
      • Lincoln Park - Milwaukee Estuary AOC
      • Sheboygan River - Sheboygan River AOC
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Dry Excavation

Sediment Removal
Dry excavation is another method to remediate contaminated sediment. Before the sediment is removed, water is first diverted or drained from a section of river, lake, or wetland. Sheet piling or cofferdams are commonly used to contain the area and temporarily reroute the water's flow. Surface water can then be pumped from the area and ground water flow can be controlled. In some areas, such as wetlands, it is possible to excavate "in the dry" without redirecting water. Waterbodies can also naturally be drier during winter months.
When choosing which cleanup method is appropriate, a project team must weigh the pros and cons of each method. Dewatering an area before excavation increases visibility of the sediment to be removed and negates the need for controlling sediment flow downstream. However, additional steps are needed to divert water flow and pump out water, which costs time and money. For this reason, dry excavation is often seen with smaller, confined project areas. Project managers also consider the physical environment, hydrology, and possible short-term impacts when choosing the best course of action. Design is tailored to best fit each site individually.
The extent to which the sediment is dried out before excavation depends on the site. Some project areas will look dry like soil, while some areas might be under a small amount of water. Regardless, almost all projects will include additional time for drying sediment on a dewatering pad with the help of a solidification agent before being trucked offsite. Wet sediment is heavy! A dewatering pad makes disposal easier, cheaper and more secure. Drained water is contained and then treated onsite or sent to a wastewater treatment plant offsite before it is released back into the waterbody. Dry sediment can then be trucked to a certified disposal facility for safe, long-term containment.  
A section of river in Milwaukee is drained to prepare for the dry excavation of sediment along the riverbed.
Next: Caps and Covers
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Contact Us

Great Lakes Mud c/o Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant
Purdue University
195 Marsteller Street
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2033

​Email: abelle@illinois.edu
© 2019 Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, All Rights Reserved.
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant strives to ensure equal access and an
​inclusive environment.
Website last updated December 14, 2022
  • Home
  • Pollution
    • Dioxins
    • Heavy Metals
    • NAPL
    • Oil and Grease
    • PAHs
    • PCBs
    • TBT
    • TPH
  • Partnership
    • Great Lakes Legacy Act
    • Cost-Sharing
  • Cleanup Process
    • Project Stages
    • Dredging
    • Dry Excavation
    • Caps and Covers
    • Habitat Restoration
  • Waterbody
    • Indiana >
      • East Branch - Grand Calumet River AOC
      • East Branch Phase II - Grand Calumet River AOC
      • East Chicago Waterways - Grand Calumet River AOC
      • Indiana Harbor Canal TSCA - Grand Calumet River AOC
      • Lake George Canal Middle & East - Grand Calumet River AOC
      • Roxana Marsh - Grand Calumet River AOC
      • Stateline - Grand Calumet River AOC
      • West Branch - Grand Calumet River AOC
    • Michigan >
      • Black Lagoon - Detroit River AOC
      • Centennial Park - Detroit River AOC
      • Division Street Outfall - Muskegon Lake AOC
      • Former MGP Site - St. Marys River AOC
      • Lower Rouge River Old Channel - Rouge River AOC
      • River Raisin - River Raisin AOC
      • Riverwalk - Detroit River AOC
      • Ruddiman Creek - Muskegon Lake AOC
      • Ryerson Creek Outfall - Muskegon Lake AOC
      • Tannery Bay - St. Marys River AOC
      • Torch Lake - Torch Lake AOC
      • Upper Trenton Channel - Detroit River AOC
      • Zephyr Site - Muskegon Lake AOC
    • Minnesota >
      • Azcon/DSPA Slip - St. Louis River AOC
      • Minnesota Slip - St. Louis River AOC
      • Munger Landing - St. Louis River AOC
      • Scanlon Reservoir - St. Louis River AOC
      • Slip 3 and Slip C - St. Louis River AOC
      • SLR Interlake/Duluth Tar - St. Louis River AOC
      • Spirit Lake Site - St. Louis River AOC
    • New York >
      • Buffalo River - Buffalo River AOC
    • Ohio >
      • Ashtabula River - Ashtabula River AOC
      • Cuyahoga River Old Channel - Cuyahoga River AOC
      • Gorge Dam - Cuyahoga River AOC
      • Jack's Marine North Slip - Ashtabula River AOC
      • Ottawa River - Maumee AOC
      • Otter Creek - Maumee AOC
    • Wisconsin >
      • Greater Milwaukee Estuary - Milwaukee Estuary AOC
      • Hog Island Inlet - St. Louis River AOC
      • Howards Bay - St. Louis River AOC
      • Kinnickinnic River - Milwaukee Estuary AOC
      • Lincoln Park - Milwaukee Estuary AOC
      • Sheboygan River - Sheboygan River AOC
      • Tyco - Menominee River AOC
    • More coming soon...
  • Education
    • Grade School Curriculum
    • High School Curriculum
    • More Resources >
      • Indiana
      • Michigan
      • Minnesota
      • Ohio
      • Wisconsin
  • Contact