What kind of dredge do I need?

All dredges are not made the same.  Gold dredges have a very specific purpose and do not pump sediment past the surface of the water.  Small 4” and 6” dredges may be suitable for sludge but not for silt within a pond or lake.  Small dredges cannot pass debris through the pump easily and don’t have enough horsepower to pump sand long distances.  Larger 8”, 10”, 12”, and 14” dredge pumps may be too large for small ponds or lakes but suitable for reservoirs.  Large dredges can be difficult to mobilize and may pump too much water.  Dredges for sand are designed with pumps for highly abrasive materials.  Auger dredges work best in fine silt and sludge.  Walking dredges are best when cables cannot be anchored nearby.  Before you purchase or rent a dredge be sure to select the dredge designed for your application.  Before you select a contractor, be sure they know what type of dredge is suitable and not just the only one they have or can afford.  You may end up with a project that is not completed properly.