Dredges

These are a few pictures of the different types of dredges that we encountered on our trip. There are basically two processes that are used, 1)digging or dredging up material and loading it on barges secured to the dredge. The loaded barges are replaced and pushed away by small towboats when full (Examples: Row 1 Pictures 1 and 4, Row 2 Picutres 1 and 3) OR 2)relocating material dredged up by pumping it through large pipes on floating supports to deposite it some distance away (Examples: Row 1 Picture 2 and Row 3 Picuture 1). In the pumped case, the dredge material can be deposited near or on shore to clear the river channel (Examples: Row 3 Picture 3 and Row 4 Picture 1) or in the case where the depth is being maintained along the docks in New Orleans as an example, the material is discharged out in the channel that is so deep and swift that it does not create a problem (Row 4 Pictures 2 and 3).