Silt Removal with the Weedoo SiltSucker
Silt Removal from Ponds and Other Water Bodies
Ponds in nature don’t last forever because of silt buildup caused by leaves and aquatic plants that settle to the bottom and decompose into sediment. Most ponds eventually become dry land. People who want to keep their ponds alive and thriving will eventually have to deal with silt buildup. One approach is to try and prevent leaves, grass clippings and water plants from getting into the pond in the first place, which can be a daunting task to figure out and implement. Another approach is to periodically engage in silt removal with equipment such as the Weedoo SiltSucker.
Having a problem with sediment buildup is one thing, but you also have to ask yourself what might be in all that silt accumulating at the bottom of your pond or other water body. That sediment came from somewhere, right? Nearby agricultural operations, industrial facilities, golf courses or even just well-manicured lawns could mean that the sediment has all kinds of nasty chemicals in it that can cause all serious problems with your water. It could be killing off the native species you want while encouraging algae or cyanobacteria blooms. In these cases, silt removal is a must, but how you go about doing it is important.
The old ways of conducting silt removal typically did more harm than good. Mechanical removal stirs up the sediment throughout the water, causing the release of gasses and nutrients in such concentrated forms that it can quickly kill off most or all of the aquatic life you’re trying to save!
What to do with the Byproduct of Silt Removal
Removing sediment from a water body necessarily includes figuring out what you’re going to do with the silt you’ve removed. If you have open land near the pond, it can just be spread out over those areas, though you may need to install a barrier to make sure it doesn’t end up back in the water.
If the sediment is rich in nutrients, as is often the case, it is worth your while to work with local land farmers who can use it in agricultural fertilizer applications.
Another option for what to do with removed silt is to mix it with clay and sand to make your own rich topsoil that can be used on your own lawns and gardens or sold to others who need it.
Other creative uses of removed silt include using it for landfill caps, mine reclamation. In the unlikely event that your sediment is contaminated with toxins, it will have to be properly disposed of at a confined disposal facility. We encourage people to think through all the options for recycling and repurposing silt whenever possible. As they say, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure!
Sediment Removal with the Weedoo SiltSucker
The good news is that Weedoo has a great solution for getting rid of excess sediment. You can face down your silt removal challenge with the Weedoo SiltSucker, a quick-change snorkel attachment for Weedoo compact workboats. This accessory includes a three-inch gas-powered diaphragm pump ideally suited for silt removal. The snorkel is easily maneuvered to precisely target sediment buildup areas. The discharge hose can pump slurry up to 250 feet with a flow of up to 5200 gallons per hour. Here are the specifications of this handy tool:
| SP-1017G | U.S. | METRIC |
| Overall Length | 7 ft | 213 cm |
| Depth | variable 4-8 ft | 120-243 cm |
| Solids diameter max size | 1.625 in | 42 mm |
| Pump fuel | gasoline | gasoline |
| Max pump flow | 88 GPM | 400 LPM |
Ready to tackle your silt removal project? Contact Weedoo today!