The US Port of Kalama has been awarded with the top ‘2014 Environmental Excellence Award’ in the navigation dredging company by the Western Dredging Association (WEDA).
The Washington-based port was recognised with the top honour for the TEMCO berth Maintenance Dredging and In-water Flow-lane Placement project and its use of an innovative new scour hole placement technique.
In 2013, the port placed around 144,500m³ of dredge material near two pile dikes in the Columbia River to maintain natural river processes and protect the pile dikes. In addition, the dredging and disposal costs were 65% less than dredging costs in 2012.
The new dredging technique is credited for environmental and economic benefits for the Port of Kalama and its community.
Environmentally, WEDA says the project minimises erosion while restoring conditions for shallow water habitat for fish.
The Port of Kalama designed the dredging project with input and support from local, state and federal agencies as well as collaboration with Coast and Harbour Engineering, BergerABAM and HME Construction.
