Turbidity Curtains
Turbidity Curtains, sometimes called silt curtains, silt screens, turbidity barriers or silt barriers are floating barriers used in marine construction, dredging projects and similar applications to contain the dispersion of silt and sediment that is suspended during these commercial activities. Turbidity curtains are deployed to keep the project in compliance, to protect the environment, and aid in the proper operation of pumps and other equipment. Neptune Flotation’s Turbidity Curtains support compliance with the Clean Water Act and any state or local Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations. Silt Curtains can be deployed in layers, where multiple silt curtains are deployed in parallel to increase the effectiveness of controlling the silt or runoff. Neptune Flotation offers a variety of fabric weights and skirt depths depending on project needs. Both permeable and impermeable skirts are available at you request. Type I, II and III are recommended for slow, medium, and fast moving waters, respectively.
Available with permeable and impermeable skirts.
Permeable skirts: Silt curtains with permeable skirts allow water to flow through the skirt while containing the silt or sediment supsened in the water. The permeable skirts are fabricated using geotextile fabric that serves as a filter. Permeable skirts are typically used in applications with fast water, waves, or other demanding conditions.
Impermeable skirts: Silt curtains with impermeable skirts completely block the flow of water as it meets the skirt. The non-permeable skirts are fabricated using PVC fabric that does not allow water to flow through the skirt. These are more commonly deployed in applications with slower moving or still waters and calmer weather conditions.
Applications
- Dredging
- Bridge construction
- Dam removal and restoration
- Marina/harbor projects
- Pile driving projects
- Port and terminal projects
- Pipeline crossings
- Coastal and shoreline restoration and rehabilitation
- Intake construction
There are lots of options when it comes to customizing your silt curtain to meet your exact needs. Consult with one of our turbidity curtain experts to allows us to help specify a turbidty barrier that will meet you needs without breaking your budget. Neptune Flotation will provide you with exactly what you need for your project.
Type I
Type I turbidity curtain is suitable for use in protected waters where the effects of the wind, waves and current are minimal
Type II
Type II turbidity curtains are best used to contain silt and turbidity in moving water applications.
Type III
Type III turbidity curtains are best used to contain silt and turbidity in water applications with swifter moving water and greater wind exposure.
Type I Turbidity Curtain
Type I turbidity curtains (also commonly referred to as Type 1 and silt curtains) are intended to control sediment and run off in calm waters. These turbidity curtains are built with foam filled floats that are referred to as Freeboards, combined with skirts that typically range in height from 3 to 20 feet. These floating silt curtains impede the flow of silt or sediment that may be suspended in the water. Type I turbidity curtains are typically used in calm waters with limited wind exposure, making it suitable for use in ponds, lakes, canals, streams, ditches, bayous, swamps and other protected waters. Type 1 silt curtains are typically the most economical, featuring lighter weight fabric without the use of aluminum end connectors. Instead, sections of curtain can be connected end to end with nuts and bolts or durable zip ties. 50 foot and 100 foot sections are in stock, and custom orders are available upon request. Neptune can construct these curtains to meet state DOT and local regulatory requirements. All silt curtains can be fabricated with permeable or impermeable skirts, which determines whether water can pass through the skirt.
Permeable Type I Turbidity Curtains: The permeable skirt is made of a geotextile fabric that allows water to flow through the curtain while still filtering any suspended silt or sediment.
Impermeable Type I Turbidity Curtains: These silt curtains are made with the same PVC fabric that is used for the floats. This fabric does not allow water to pass through, creating a barrier that fully blocks the water and any silt or sediment that may be suspended in the water.
Product Features:
- Constructed using 100% RF Welds
- Reinforced end seams with grommets allow for universal connection with other Type I turbidity curtains
- Flotation segments are 3 ft long for superior wave conformity and ease of handling and storage
- Flotation chambers individually sealed with RF Welds
- Economical option designed for deployment in a wide range of applications
- Custom heights available – floatation sized to support skirt height and conditions
- Skirt height can be tapered to conform to the bottom profile of the body of water
- Ballast chain for strength and stability
- Typically made with fabric color of International Orange, with other colors available via special order
Type I Recommended Conditions:
- Still waters without waves, wind, or tidal action
- Inland lakes, ponds, construction sites
- Maximum currents: 0 feet per second (FPS)
- Water Depth 2 ft to 20 ft (curtain height should be one foot less than water depth)
Type II Turbidity Curtain
Type II turbidity curtains (also commonly referred to as Type 2 and silt curtains) are intended to control sediment and run off in slow moving waters. These turbidity curtains are built with foam filled floats that are referred to as Freeboards, combined with skirts that typically range in height from 5 to 50 feet. These floating silt curtains impede the flow of silt or sediment that may be suspended in the water. Type II turbidity curtains are typically used in slow moving waters such as lakes, streams, canals, slow moving rivers, inter-coastal and tidal areas. Type 2 silt curtains are feature the use of aluminum end connectors in combination with grommets on reinforced side seams. The connector plates are attached with toggle pins while the grommets are joined with rope, nuts and bolts or strong zip ties. 50 foot and 100 foot sections with 5 foot skirts typically in stock, and custom orders are available upon request. Neptune can construct these curtains to meet state DOT and local regulatory requirements.
Permeable Type II Turbidity Curtains: The permeable skirt is made of a geotextile fabric that allows water to flow through the curtain while still filtering any suspended silt or sediment.
Impermeable Type II Turbidity Curtains: These silt curtains are made with the same PVC fabric that is used for the floats. This fabric does not allow water to pass through, creating a barrier that fully blocks the water and any silt or sediment that may be suspended in the water.
Product Features:
- Constructed using 100% RF Welds
- Universal aluminum end connector plates at the top and bottom, with reinforced end seams with grommets between the two connector plates
- Flotation segments are 3 ft long for superior wave conformity and ease of handling and storage
- Flotation chambers individually sealed with RF Welds
- Custom heights available – floatation sized to support skirt height and conditions
- Skirt height can be tapered to conform to the bottom profile of the body of water
- Ballast chain for strength and stability
- Typically made with fabric color of International Orange, with other colors available via special order
Type II Recommended Conditions:
- Slow moving waters with some waves, wind, or tidal action
- Lakes, streams, canals, slow moving rivers, inter-coastal and tidal areas
- Maximum currents: 3.5 feet per second (FPS)
- Water Depth 3 ft to 50 ft (curtain height should be at least one foot less than water depth)
Applications:
Coastal or Marine Construction, DOT Road and Bridge Construction, Dredging, Mining, Pile Driving
Type III Turbidity Curtain
Type III turbidity curtains (also commonly referred to as Type 3 and silt curtains) are intended to control sediment and run off in moving waters and moderate wind and wave conditions. These turbidity curtains are built with foam filled floats that are referred to as Freeboards, combined with skirts that typically range in height from 5 to 50 feet. These floating silt curtains impede the flow of silt or sediment that may be suspended in the water. Type III turbidity curtains are typically used in moving waters such as rivers, bays, harbors, and other waterways. Type 3 silt curtains feature the use of aluminum end connectors in combination with grommets on reinforced side seams. The connector plates are attached with toggle pins while the grommets are joined with rope, nuts and bolts or strong zip ties. 50 foot and 100 foot sections are typical, and custom orders available upon request. Neptune can construct these curtains to meet state DOT and local regulatory requirements.
Permeable Type III Turbidity Curtains: The permeable skirt is made of a geotextile fabric that allows water to flow through the curtain while still filtering any suspended silt or sediment.
Impermeable Type III Turbidity Curtains: These silt curtains are made with the same PVC fabric that is used for the floats. This fabric does not allow water to pass through, creating a barrier that fully blocks the water and any silt or sediment that may be suspended in the water.
Product Features:
- Constructed using 100% RF Welds
- Universal aluminum end connector plates at the top and bottom, with reinforced end seams with grommets between the two connector plates
- Flotation segments are 3 ft long for superior wave conformity and ease of handling and storage
- Flotation chambers individually sealed with RF Welds
- Custom heights available – floatation sized to support skirt height and conditions
- Skirt height can be tapered to conform to the bottom profile of the body of water
- Ballast chain for strength and stability
- Typically made with fabric color of International Orange, with other colors available via special order
Type III Recommended Conditions:
- Moving waters with some waves, wind, or tidal action
- Rivers, Bays, and other waterways
- Maximum currents: 5 feet per second (FPS)
- Water Depth 3 ft to 50 ft (curtain height should be at least one foot less than water depth)
Applications:
Coastal or Marine Construction, DOT Road and Bridge Construction, Dredging, Mining, Pile Driving
