Turbidity Curtains and Silt Curtains are devices that are used to separate turbid water from clear water by using physical means. They can be used in many construction and marine projects. Contractor’s use these while working on projects around water as it is important to protect the surrounding aquatic environment. They are also used to protect sides of water bodies from the impact of silt and turbid storm water.
High quality turbidity curtains are modular and reusable featuring high-strength geotextile fabric with heavy-duty floating system. The sediment is contained and ultimately settles, keeping the remaining water clean and free of sediment that may be contaminated from site runoff.
In this blog post about the benefits of turbidity curtains and silt curtains, we will discuss their primary functions as well as examine how they can help storm water from causing destruction.
What are turbidity curtains?
Turbidity curtains, also known as silt curtains or turbidity barrier are floating barriers placed in water bodies to contain sediment and debris. They are typically used during construction or maintenance activities in rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water.
A typical turbidity curtain includes a flexible and impermeable barrier that is supported at the top of a floating system. It helps trap sediment in water bodies and is generally weighted at the bottom to prevent sediment from traveling under the curtain.
It’s an effective solution that provides protection from sediment along watercourse from conventional erosion and up slope land disturbance. It is also used at construction sites near waterways to avoid erosion, turbidity, and unwanted silt build-up. It also finds it’s applications in marine construction.
In series of floating system at top, it has a fabric skirt hanging below the floats that’s mainly responsibility to get hold of the silt and turbid water. A typical section of turbidity curtain may be of lengths 25, 50, and 100 ft.
Some type of turbidity curtains contain filtered fabric that allows water to pass through but get hold of the sediments. It is a pretty helpful type of turbidity curtain that prevents water from becoming stagnant. Because of the exchange of water between both sides, the water body can maintain oxygen levels.
Advantages of using turbidity curtains
Turbidity curtains help reduces the sediment and silt buildup in water bodies that are caused by construction activities taking place in or near water bodies (for example during dredging operation).
Dredging operation can also result in production of hydrocarbons. For that, the turbidity curtain must be lined with oil absorbent booms that run parallel to the curtain. You can directly anchor these booms with turbidity curtain and they can absorb hydrocarbons before they can reach the curtain.
The turbidity barrier can be installed in several different methods to effectively control or contain silt and turbidity in your location. These curtains are used in different applications to keep work areas completely contained.
Here’re some typical applications of turbidity curtains:
- Dredging
- Bridge construction
- Dam removal and restoration
- Marina/harbor projects (bulkheads, piers, retaining walls)
- Port and terminal projects (groins, dikes, breakwaters)
- Ferry landings
- Pipeline crossings
- Coastal and shoreline restoration and rehabilitation
- Intake construction
