Every year, billions of dollars enter the economy thanks to international trade, and much of that business happens on waterways. From oceans to rivers and bays, bodies of water make it possible for ships to transport goods from point A to point B. There’s no denying that water also drives business — tourists come from all over to see stunning water views and get out on their boats.
But what happens when waterways are clogged with sediment buildup and harmful contaminants? Left unaddressed, sedimentation and pollutants can impact ship navigation, marine wildlife health and tourism — all of which affect the economy. Part of the solution is dredging.
Maintaining healthy, navigable waterways is a shared priority for community leaders, business owners and homeowners alike. Learn more about why dredging is important and how it can impact economies below.
What Is Dredging, and Why Does It Matter?
As silt, sand and other natural debris accumulate in bodies of water, sedimentation builds up and must be removed through dredging. When dredging, a machine gathers sediment and debris from the bottom of the water body.
One of the most important reasons for dredging is that it helps maintain water depth. When sedimentation flows downstream, it eventually gathers in harbors, channels and other areas where ships and boats must pass through. If too much sediment or debris is present, the water may not be deep enough to navigate. This approach also helps decrease flood risk by opening up water channels.
Another use for dredging is reducing contaminant exposure. In cities and industrial areas, chemicals and other contaminants can seep into nearby waterways, such as through sewer overflow or surface runoff. By dredging, workers can remove polluted sediment that could harm people and wildlife. This type of dredging can also prevent the spread of contaminants to other bodies of water.
While both uses for dredging have immediate advantages, they also have hidden benefits, particularly for the economy.
Direct Economic Benefits of Dredging
On the surface, it’s clear that dredging is good for the economy for a few major reasons.
Navigation and Commerce
In 2023, the United States’ marine economy had a $511 billion impact on the nation’s economy, contributing 1.8% of the country’s gross domestic product. Supporting a strong, stable marine economy depends on many factors, and waterway maintenance is one of them.
Removing debris and sediment is necessary to maintain water depth for marine transportation, particularly for cargo and container ships. If shipment vessels can’t navigate certain passages, a ripple effect happens through the supply chain — freight is delayed, business sales drop and customers are unhappy.
With access to deeper channels, larger vessels can move more easily in and out of ports and harbors, improving trade. At the same time, dredging makes marine transportation more affordable. When channels are clear of sedimentation buildup, ships can take the fastest routes to their destinations. Some infrastructure problems still persist, especially as ships only get larger, but dredging plays a necessary role in increasing shipping capacity and making navigation simpler.
Improving navigation also contributes to supply chain resilience — ports can continue to operate efficiently even in adverse weather conditions or unexpected surges in demand. Ultimately, dredging influences global trade flows, especially for essential commodities like grain, oil and manufactured goods.
Flood Control
In some cases, dredging can be effective for controlling flooding. By digging debris and sediment out of river beds, it’s possible to deepen water channels to provide more space for water flow. As a result, water is less likely to surpass the riverbank and cause expensive damage to surrounding areas.
Sometimes, dredged material is transported away from the water body for disposal. However, keeping it within the active sedimentation system can actually help combat erosion, protecting shorelines and infrastructure and decreasing flood risk. Depositing dredged material in places that need nourishment can counteract the erosive effects of weather and human activity, like construction.
Job Creation
Many jobs are created through dredging projects. Between engineers, scientists, project managers, safety specialists and legal professionals, dredging requires a large team of professionals to be successful. Since dredging facilitates ship navigation and transport, it also supports seaport jobs. For example, when the Port of Oakland was expanded with deeper channels, it created 4,100 new jobs. The project also resulted in $500 million in annual business revenue, boosting local economic activity.
Indirect Economic Benefits of Dredging
Beyond the more obvious dredging cost benefits, you’ll find that it has indirect advantages. From dredging for tourism growth to wildlife habitat health, the economy can benefit in different ways.
Tourism and Recreation
Removing contaminated sediment supports tourism and recreation. Creating clean and accessible waterways attracts visitors to areas close to rivers, lakes, oceans and other bodies of water. For example, recreational boaters are more likely to visit beaches and spend money at local restaurants, hotels and shops when they know the water is safe and easy to navigate. Just one dredging project can help build up a waterside town’s local economy.
Property Value
The economic impact of dredging also extends to nearby properties. Keeping bodies of water clear of debris, sediment buildup and pollutants directly impacts the value of local homes and businesses. While dredging can help decrease flood risk, which is a big draw for buyers, it also keeps waterways clean and accessible, making waterfront properties more desirable for homeowners and business patrons.
Environment
Just as dredging can create cleaner, clearer bodies of water for people to enjoy, it can substantially impact water quality for marine life. Removing polluted sedimentation helps habitats thrive, which leads to healthier fisheries, increased seafood production and better marine ecotourism attractions. The result is a more thriving ecosystem with big economic payoffs.
It’s important to note that dredging can have negative environmental impacts when certain mitigation measures aren’t in place. All dredging projects should aim to disturb nearby ecosystems as little as possible. By investing in environmental impact assessments, specialized equipment and water monitoring, among other steps, dredging can support the economy without overly disrupting nature.
Make Dredging Easier With GeoForm International
The advantages of dredging go much further than simply removing sediment buildup from waterways. Dredging helps increase property values and sustain the country’s massive marine economy, so it’s an essential maintenance step in proactive waterway management.
At GeoForm International, we provide high-quality dredging products made in the USA. Whether you need to dredge a golf course pond with our Dino6 or require more dredging power with our Dino8, our products meet your needs, improving efficiency and results.
Learn more about the various benefits of dredging for your business or community by contacting our team today.