DREDGING
Dredging is the process of removing sediments and silt from the bottom of a body of water. Dredging Utah Lake will deepen the lake, remove nutrient-loaded sediments, and create cleaner water.
WHAT WE WILL ACHIEVE
DEEPEN BY AN AVERAGE OF 7 FEET
SHAPE UNDERWATER TOPOGRAPHY (BATHYMETRY)
IMPROVE WATER TEMPERATURE AND CIRCULATION
INCREASE WATER-HOLDING CAPACITY BY 386K ACRE FEET
WHY DREDGING?
For Utah Lake, dredging means removing the fine sediments from the top 8-12 inches of the lake bottom and removing nutrient-loaded sediments comprising 18-36 inches of lake bottom. Removing sediments will deepen the lake, reduce forces that disturb the lake bottom, and change the underwater topography to better circulate water.
DREDGING BY DESIGN
The depth of dredging will vary in different parts of the lake based on engineering design and data from core samples. Some areas may be dredged by as little as 18 inches, while other areas may be dredged deeper.
1 BILLION CUBIC YARDS TAKES TIME
Current designs suggest that to deepen the lake to the desired levels, upwards of one billion cubic yards of material will be dredged. To maintain the lake’s water balance, we estimate that it will take approximately 12-15 years to move all the materials.
“The nation’s coastal, ocean, and freshwater resources are critical assets, which must be protected, conserved, and restored … Dredged material is a resource, and environmentally sound beneficial use of dredged material for such projects as wetland creation, beach nourishment, and development projects must be encouraged.”
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Dredging Policy, 2015, pp. 2-7, 8
Disclaimer: The numbers presented on this site are based on conceptual plans and preliminary modeling. Numbers are subject to change as additional data, engineering, modeling, and modifications to the plan result from the permitting process led by the US Army Corps of Engineers.
DRIVEN BY SCIENCE.
POWERED BY PASSION.
We’re working with world-class scientists and engineers to save Utah Lake after more than 150 years of degradation. Our plans are informed by proven technology and data to ensure a responsible, sustainable path forward for the lake and surrounding area. Learn all about the partnerships, studies, and assessments that are driving this project from concept to reality.
