Construction site dredging is one of the more involved types of civil engineering projects. If you're trying to figure out whether it will be necessary to dredge at your site, you may want to look at some of the most common cases for doing so. Here are four reasons to dredge a construction site.

Waterway Access

One of the simplest reasons for dredging is to provide access to the waterway. If you want to be able to handle loads onto and from barges and ships, for example, you won't want to leave sediments along the shoreline. Clearing out silt, mud, rocks, and other materials from the waterway will make it more navigable.

The ability to transport products, people, and materials by water can make a site highly desirable, too. You can reduce shipping costs in many cases, and it also allows you to offer services that competitors might not have.

Flood Control

Slowing the water down at a bend in a river can oftentimes encourage flooding. Silt isn't great at keeping water off properties, and construction site dredging is a good way to avoid problems down the road. With better flow at the location, you can expect less water to back up and produce floods.

Notably, getting control of the flood plain may allow you to install anti-flooding measures. You can dredge out the silt and install seawalls and pumps in the area. This can assert greater control of the area and possibly allow you to develop more of the land.

Reclamation

If an area is a candidate for dredging, you may want to remove the sediment from the spot to reclaim it. Improving the water flow can dry things out. You can add sand, soil, and rocks to the location to firm up the ground.

Even if the land won't dry completely, dredging may still allow you to create a healthier wetland. Rather than dealing with a sludgy mess, you'll have an area that can foster plants and wildlife. This can make a location more livable even if you're not directly using the land.

Cleaning Up

More than sediment can accumulate in a spot along a waterway. Debris and garbage can collect over many years. Likewise, toxic materials, contaminated soils, sewage, and other undesirable things can collect. Dredging will allow you to remove the gross stuff and create an all-around cleaner and healthier location. You should, however, handle this work in coordination with local, state, and federal environmental agencies.