Temporary Water Filled Barriers
A cofferdam is a temporary enclosure in or around a body of water that is constructed to allow dewatering, diversion or damming of an enclosed area. The coffer dam is filled with water to create a barrier, and emptied once it is no longer necessary. Using a water filled barrier offers the advantage o
Water Filled Barriers for Water Control
Today’s temporary water filled barriers are primarily used to hold back flood waters or to provide a dry environment for a project to proceed. Examples of temporary water barriers are cofferdams (also coffer dams) and sandbags. There also are permanent water barriers that include dams, levees, locks and seawalls.
Fig. 2 – Beaver Dam in Arkansas is an example of a permanent water barrier.
Temporary Water Filled Barrier Applications
There are many applications for temporary water barriers, especially cofferdams. One company – Dam-It Dams, Inc. – offers patented, portable, water-filled Cofferdams that provide effective and cost-efficient solutions for these major types of situations that they call the 3-Ds of water control:
Dewatering
De-watering, unwatering and water control are common terms used to describe the removal or drainage of ground or surface water, typically on a construction site. This technique is often required before subsurface excavation for such things as foundations, shoring, cellar space and repairs to existing water structures.
Examples of Dewatering water-control situations include:
- Boat ramp repairs
- Bridge repairs
- Dredging
- Environmental remediation
- Shoreline restoration
- Wetland protection
Diversion
Diversion is the temporary (or sometimes permanent) re-routing of water. It may be required to initiate a project and/or allow a project to proceed.
Examples of Diversion water-control situations include:
- Bridge repairs
- Dredging
- Environmental remediation
- Flood control
- River crossings
- River flow
- Spillways
- Wetland protection
Damming
Damming is the process of creating a barrier that holds back water. The barrier may be needed to maintain water table levels, collect water for storage and prevent water from crossing established/safety thresholds.
Examples of Damming water-control situations include:
- Bridge repairs
- Canals
- Cold weather projects
- Dredging
- Environmental protection
- Environmental remediation
- Flood control
- Flood protection
- Shoreline protection
- Shoreline restoration
- Spillways
- Wetland protection
Why Our Cofferdams Are Preferred for use as a temporary water barrier
Figure 3 – A Dam-It Dams’ cofferdam
There are two primary reasons our cofferdams are preferred by contractors worldwide:
- Dam-It Dams’ Cofferdams work with Mother Nature, not against her, and therefore create effective water barriers that leave no – or only a minimal – footprint on the environment
- Our cofferdams are industrial strength and reusable, thus, minimize additional investment costs.
Finally, our cofferdams are immediately available in a wide range of sizes to accommodate virtually every project manager’s needs. Contact us today for more information and a free quote. Click here damitdams.com to go to our Home Page.