The Forty Foot Drain forms one of the main drainage channels of the Fens around Lincolnshire.
In both the North Forty Foot Drain and the South Forty Foot Drain, Smals has carried out multiple maintenance dredging projects, each covering several kilometres. An average layer of 0.75 cm of sediment was removed to restore the discharge capacity of the waterways.
An important aspect of the work was the circular use of dredged sediment. The dredged material was first dewatered in large, raised depots and then mixed with the topsoil of local fields. This resulted in a slight elevation of low-lying farmland while simultaneously serving as a natural fertiliser. This created a win-win situation: the waterways retained their capacity, while local farmers benefited from the nutrient-rich sediment. The work was carried out in close collaboration with the Internal Drainage Board Black Sluice, who were very satisfied with the restored management of the canals.
Location
North and South Forty Foot Drain, East Anglia, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom
Equipment
10” Cutter suction dredger
8” Cutter suction dredger
Dewatering Depots
Social / economic value
