Dredge Project Design
Specialist Engineering Services – Concept through Construction
Dredging keeps shipping lanes open, restores beaches and wetlands, cleans contaminated waterways, and is the foundation of most marine infrastructure projects. This vital industry drives strong economies and benefits the needs of society in numerous ways.
Dredge Project Planning, Design and Construction are core functions of Lally Consulting (Lally LLC). As dredge contractor and consulting engineer since the early 1990s, Lally has worked on over 1,000 dredging projects in the capital works, beach and wetland restoration, channel maintenance, and sediment remediation sectors. We are experts in designing and managing dredge programs to achieve optimal results for Owners and stakeholders, while reducing risk and saving substantial capital.
From our offices in North America, Europe and the Caribbean, Lally LLC provides project owners, contractors and consultants specialist dredge project services including;
- Project Management
- Planning and Feasibility Studies
- Site Physical Processes Analyses
- Geotechnical and Subsurface Investigations
- Contaminated Sediment Sampling and Analysis
- Hydrographic and Marine Geophysical Surveys
- Mapping and Visualization Services
- Project Design and Engineering
- Volumes and Quantity Takeoffs
- Production Estimates and Scheduling
- Equipment Selection
- Technology Innovation
- Cost Estimates and Analysis
- Procurement Support
- Early Contractor Involvement
- Project Permitting
- Construction Oversight
- Dredge Positioning and Automation
- Project Performance Optimization
- Environmental Monitoring
- 24/7 Worldwide Support
Dredging projects require thorough initial research and preparation. We often see poorer performing projects to be those that have not adequately acquired and analyzed site conditions data.
Lally LLC offers authoritative knowledge on the physical and environmental parameters important to achieving dredging project success, and a portfolio of Data Collection, Analysis and Visualization services to bring clarity and cost-saving measures over the course of project design and construction.
We offer the following Mapping and Visualization services worldwide;
- Site Characterization Planning
- Sampling and Analysis Plans
- Sediment Coring and Surface Sampling
- Subsurface Investigations
- Debris Identification and Mapping
- Geotechnical Sampling and Analysis
- Chemical Sampling and Analysis
- Geostatistical Interpolation (i.e. Kriging)
- MetOcean Data Collections and Statistics
- Borrow Source – Shoreline Characterization and Compatibility Analysis
- Hardbottom and Seagrass Mapping
- Topographic & Bathymetric Surveys
- Data Analytics
- 2D and 3D Visualizations
- Conceptual Site Models
From concept through final design, we engineer dredging projects with essential data and construction know-how, to achieve safety, optimal performance and cost savings.
Depending on project type, Lally LLC’s dredge project engineering approach incorporates comprehensive understanding of hydrodynamic and sediment transport processes, geotechnical, sub-bottom, chemistry, habitat and other site conditions, alongside uncommon practical knowledge of dredging equipment, and materials transport, processing and placement approaches.
Lally LLC contract plans and specifications follow established standards, are innovative where beneficial, and detailed. Since the 1990’s, Lally has been a pioneer in the development of precision dredge projects both at the desk and on site, and regularly teaches the fundamentals of this game-changing approach to further advance the cost-effective cleanup of waterways.
We apply creativity and multi-criteria analysis (MCA) tools to determine optimal borrow sources for beach and wetland restoration, and dredge material placement options for channel deepening, capital works and sediment remediation projects.
To optimize project impact, we work with stakeholders and seek opportunities for beneficial use of dredged materials and other Nature-based solutions.
Dredge Project Engineering-phase services Lally LLC offers globally include;
- Project Planning
- Field Investigations and Data Collection
- Topographic, Intertidal and Surf Zone Surveys
- Single-Beam and Multibeam Hydrographic Surveys
- Marine Geophysical and Subsurface Surveys
- Geotechnical Investigations
- Conventional and Precision Dredge Prism Design
- Beach, Barrier Island, and Wetland Fill Profile Design
- Volumes and Quantity Calculations
- Computer Assisted Design (CAD)
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Data Management and Mapping
- Sampling and Analysis Plans
- Sediment Sampling for Suitability Determinations
- Dredged Material Management and Beneficial Use
- Nature based Engineering
- Equipment and Approach Innovations
- Construction Methods and Planning
- Slope Stability Analysis
- Production Estimates
- Cost Estimates
- Project Scheduling
- Contract Plans and Specifications, Project Manuals
- Determination of Optimal Contracting Mechanisms
- Dredge Equipment Selection
- Dredge Contractor Selection
- Project Management
- Environmental Impact Studies / Biological Evaluations
- Construction Management
- Regulatory Permitting
- Environmental Monitoring Programs
- Permit Compliance
- Stakeholder Engagement / Public Meeting Presentations
- Claims Management and Negotiations
- Dispute Resolution / Expert Services
Navigating the regulatory process to acquire and comply with environmental permits can be one of the more challenging components of dredging projects, if not approached correctly. Lally LLC has successfully acquired federal, state and municipal permits for our clients’ projects through comprehensive understanding of site environmental conditions and stakeholder requirements, and innovative dredging designs to optimize performance for the Owner.
Responsive communications with regulators, global experience with Nature-based solutions, and extensive experience working in varied marine environments have also served to facilitate successful permit acquisition and compliance on multi-faceted dredging projects.
Lally LLC has experience working with the following agencies in the acquisition and administration of project permits in the coastal environment.
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
- Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), formerly U.S. Minerals Management Service (USMMS)
- NOAA – National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS)
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
- CARICOM Ministries of the Environment
- State and Local Environmental Agencies
- Coastal Protection and Restoration Authorities
- County and City Shoreline Master Programs
- Tribes and First Nations
Specific examples of Lally LLC permitting experience related to dredging projects include;
- Initial Scoping
- Baseline Studies
- Permit Applications and Drawings
- Section 10/404 Rivers and Harbors Act and Clean Water Act
- Section 401 Water Quality Certification
- Section 7 Endangered Species Act
- Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA)
- Biological Evaluations
- Dredged Material Management Programs
- USEPA Ocean Dumping Act (MPRSA)
- Superfund (CERCLA) Regulatory Compliance
- Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) Regulatory Compliance
- National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
- Nationwide and Regional General Permits
- Stakeholder Engagement and Communications
- Agency Negotiations
- Formulate Mitigation Agreements
- Formulate Monitoring Programs
- Turbidity, TSS, and Dissolved Oxygen Monitoring
- Seine Surveys and Fish Counts
- Fish and Habitat Monitoring
- Marine Mammal Monitoring
- Sediment Monitoring
- Sound Monitoring
- Pre-, Progress- and Post-Dredge Surveys
- Post-Construction Monitoring
- Project Reporting
Employed formerly by leading North American and European dredge contractors, Lally LLC has uncommon technical and operational experience with numerous hydraulic and mechanical dredge equipment types, specialized equipment, and advanced approaches to achieve successful project results.
In the leadup to and during construction, we can effectively contribute as Project Manager, Owner’s / Contractor’s Representative, or 3rd Party Advisor to manage risks, improve performance and resolve project technical and contractual challenges.
Lally LLC offers the following services to assist project owners and contractors set up and execute high performance dredging projects;
- 24/7 Worldwide Support
- Project Management
- Construction Oversight
- Procurement Support
- Pre-Tender Meetings
- Project Mobilization and Startup
- Production Optimization
- Performance Improvements
- Early Contractor Involvement
- Environmental Safeguarding
- Quality Assurance / Quality Control
- Pre-, Progress and Post-Dredge Surveys
- Payment Requests / Contract Management
- Claims Resolution / Expert Litigation Services
- Technical Liaison between Owner, Contractors, Engineers, and other Stakeholders
As sole-source independent consultant, or member on interdisciplinary team, Lally is often called to serve on projects requiring specialized dredging project technology, engineering and environmental expertise. In these capacities Lally LLC has been hired by governments (U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Emergency Management Agency), industry clients, engineering firms, environmental consultants, dredging and marine contractors, private entities and NGOs.
Lally has also served on expert panels charged with review and formulation of engineering designs and dredged material management plans for major harbor expansion, coastal resiliency, and environmental restoration projects.
Lally offers over 30 years’ experience with the following dredge types;
- Hydraulic Cutterhead Dredges
- Hydraulic Dustpan Dredges
- Trailing Suction Hopper Dredges
- Various Types of Pump Systems
- Crane Derrick Barges
- Backhoe Dredges
- Precision Mechanical Dredges
- Precision Hybrid Dredges
- Amphibious Dredges
- Support Equipment (Barges, Drill Boats, Diffusers, Weirs, Earthmoving Equipment, etc…)
, and dredge project types;
- Beach, Barrier Island and Wetland Restoration and Nourishment
- Channel Deepening, Widening and Maintenance
- Contaminated Sediment Removal and Capping
- Berth Deepening and Maintenance
- Marina and Residential Dredging
- Island Building – Reclamation
- Reservoir Dredging
- Lagoon Dredging
- Seabed Mining
- Special Projects
As former marine contractors, our dredge technology, innovation, economic, and operations know-how is unique. Lally LLC knowledge has consistently helped clients complete their dredging-related projects with greater efficiency, safety to human health and the environment, and cost savings. Thus far our work has saved Owners over $500 Million.
In 2020, Lally LLC received the prestigious USEPA Administrator’s Award for its work developing and overseeing a complex multi-year dredging project, saving the Government over $100 Million across several dredge engineering, quality management and operational functions according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The delivered benefit-cost (BCR) from Lally LLC to the client on this project exceeded 60:1.
