Along the banks of the iconic Caledonian Canal near Fort William lies Laggan Spout, an area that had not been maintained for a long period and had therefore become difficult to access for larger recreational vessels.
In close cooperation with Scottish Canals and a local contractor, Smals Dredging developed an integrated dredging plan to restore the canal to its required depth and ensure safe navigation.
The sediment present on site proved to be a complex mix of silt, sand, gravel and coarse stones, all of which needed to be removed and reused. Smals designed an ingenious process using a 10-inch cutter suction dredger, a custom-built screening installation for separating stones and organic material, and two dedicated dewatering facilities to process both sand and silt. By using gravity and smart, local dewatering techniques, all sediment streams were effectively returned as valuable construction materials.
The result is a canal fully restored to depth, improved accessibility for recreational shipping, and a fully circular processing of sediments. All of this was achieved within an ecologically sensitive area, without causing damage to the surrounding flora and fauna.
Location
Laggan Spout, Caledonian Canal, Fort William, Scotland, United Kingdom
Equipment
10” Cutter suction dredger
Social / economic value
