Canal Dredging & Maintenance

The Versi-Dredge removes sediment from canals in controlled layers that allow the canal to be restored to its original even-bottom profile. The Versi-Dredge’s SolidsMaster horizontal cutterhead creates a level cut – unlike basket-type cutterheads, which create overlapping cuts with ridges, or mechanical dredges that create an uneven moonscape on the bottom of the canal.

The forward motion of the Versi-Dredge allows the sediment to be removed in parallel layers in long passes, which is a much better solution for canal maintenance. Basket-type cutters require a constant re-setting of anchors and swing wires due to a canal’s narrow design. Therefore, the Versi-Dredge is much more user-friendly and efficient for canal dredging.

The Versi-Dredge requires only one operator and does not require tender boats or additional personnel, which significantly reduces fuel and labor costs. The Versi-Dredge is also one-truck transportable and does not require any spuds, side tanks, or other equipment to be put into operation. Once it is in the canal, it is ready to hook up to the discharge line and pump.

The Versi-Dredge can remove buildup of sediment in canals that block drainage and contribute to flash flooding during heavy rain events. It is also ideal for cleaning and maintaining existing navigation canals. The IMS patented WeedMaster Cutterhead can be used in place of the standard SolidsMaster to remove hyacinths and densely rooted vegetation during canal maintenance. This will help restore full water flow to the canal system and adjoining irrigation ditches.

In some cases, the Versi-Dredge can be outfitted with the IMS Bi-Directional Broadcaster in place of the standard discharge pipeline. The Broadcaster allows the pumped slurry to be sprayed in a controlled arc to the shoreline. The sediment stays on the canal bank and the water flows back into the canal. This method has proven to be beneficial to wetlands in the United States for projects with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Parks and Wildlife.

The Versi-Dredge’s SolidsMaster Cutterhead achieves up to 25% solids consistently when dredging in canals. Swing dredges will cut up to 20% during the initial swing, but on the return swing will pump much lower solids. The Versi-Dredge is therefore using less water to remove sediments during canal dredging.

In some cases a canal might have a cement bottom liner. This is not a problem, as the Versi-Dredge’s horizontal cutterhead can easily be outfitted with adjustable gauge wheels to prevent it from ever touching the liner. In addition, the Starwheels can be operated on the top surface in Paddle Wheel mode or on the bottom surface if the wheel tips are fitted with rubber boots to protect the concrete liner. Lined or unlined, IMS Dredge has the solution for canal dredging.