Siltation and Ocean Dumping Problems at Dalhousie, New Brunswick

Dredging of the Dalhousie Harbour and the ocean disposal of dredge spoils had been ongoing for many years prior to the implementation of the Ocean Dumping Control Act of 1975. Due to discharge from local industries and the open storage of bulk lead/zinc ore concentrates at the port, pollution levels in the Harbour were elevated and by the early 1980´s open water disposal of the dredgate was no longer permitted. As a result of the elimination of Ocean Disposal and continued high rates of siltation, a siltation study has been commissioned by the Federal Government to determine ways and means to reduce or eliminate the maintenance dredging requirement through the development of engineering concepts. This paper will address the methodology developed to reduce the maintenance dredging requirement through the findings of the Siltation Study.