Bedlam's Bottom

Year Implemented

1996

Project Type

Beneficial use of dredged sediment

Country

United Kingdom

Location

Medway Estuary (Kent)

Longitude

0.7115

Latitude

51.3867

Habitat(s) Created
Size

Why Undertaken
  • Habitat Enhancement

  • Demonstration or Pilot Project

Project Description Summary

In 1996 a total of around 4000m³ of dredged fine muddy dredged sediment taken from Cadnam Basin were placed on the lower intertidal (in a tributary of the Medway Estuary SPA) and left to dissipate. This 'trickle charge feeding' approach did not involve any retention devices.

This approach aimed for sediments to be redistributed within the intertidal through natural hydraulic processes and to promote the natural evolution of intertidal habitats.

The sediments were placed by split bottom barges and were left to gradually move it up the foreshore (trickle charge/feed).

Early results from this experimental recharge scheme indicated that bottom dumping and trickle feeding is a success for relatively small infrequent volumes of fine dredged material. Around 50% of the material is estimated to have been retained at the recharge site.

Documents/References uploaded
References


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