East Naples Bay Dredging & Rock Removal

Overview

Quality Enterprises was hired by the City of Naples to perform maintenance dredging in the residential canals of East Naples Bay. Dredging is important to the routine maintenance of waterways as sedimentation, the natural process of sand and silt washing downstream, gradually fills waterways.

The goal of this project is to dredge the East Naples Bay canal system to a consistent depth and remove rock and sediment. Benefits of dredging include improved watercraft navigation, flood control, and water quality. Crews will remove approximately 1,000 CY of sediment and 3,000 CY of rock from the residential canals of East Naples Bay.

Project Challenges and Mitigations

To minimize impacts on the surrounding community, QE will utilize the Epiroc ER1500 Drum Cutter excavator attachment to cut through the rock during the dredging process. This technology not only reduces sound and vibration but also enhances job performance.

Additionally, QE will monitor vibration during dredging and rock removal activities to confirm they are within acceptable standards. Vibration monitors will be placed in the back yards of homes in order to effectively monitor and record vibration activity.

Technology

Crews generated a 3D model based on the construction plans that were imported into the machine. This model couples with GPS technology integrated into the machine and gives the operator full control and visibility of the design limits of the project. This greatly increases consistency and production, especially working underwater. Without this technology, the operator would essentially be working blind.

Once a canal has been dredged, a multibeam sonar is used to survey the canal and confirm it is 100% complete.