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Sediment management for hydro and dams
Published on 28 Oct ‘26
Sediment management in hydropower – Ecocoast at HYDRO 2026
Sediment management in hydropower

Sediment management took centre stage as a team from Ecocoast highlighted our growing role in supporting hydropower infrastructure at HYDRO 2026 in Bologna, Italy.

Held from 14-16 October, the international conference and exhibition brought together hydropower developers, operators, consultants, and technology providers to discuss the challenges facing the sector.

We exhibited at the event and delivered a technical presentation. Discussions highlighted growing opportunities to apply our floating barrier expertise to hydropower infrastructure, particularly for new applications in sediment and debris management.

Tackling the growing challenge of sediment management

Sediment management emerged as a significant concern during our conversations with industry representatives. The issue is sharpest in regions where steep terrain, limited vegetation and seasonal rainfall contribute to high sediment loads in rivers and reservoirs.

For hydropower operators, sediment accumulation can restrict water flow, increase maintenance requirements and necessitate costly shutdowns to clear intake structures and sediment collection facilities.

Conventional approaches often focus on removing accumulated sediment or protecting intake structures. We’re exploring how floating barrier technologies could help manage the problem further upstream.

We already provide debris barriers that intercept floating material before it reaches critical infrastructure. These complement conventional trash racks and intake screens, reducing maintenance demands.

We’re now investigating the combined use of debris booms and silt curtains to support sediment management at hydropower facilities.

A proposed trial in Ecuador would involve installing silt curtains alongside a debris barrier, ahead of existing sediment collection pits. The aim is to assess whether the arrangement can slow sediment accumulation and reduce the frequency of clearance operations.

Effectiveness will depend on site-specific conditions, including water flow and sediment characteristics. Even so, the approach represents a potential additional tool for operators managing sediment-related disruption.

Demonstrating dam safety expertise at Lairg Dam

We also contributed to HYDRO 2026’s technical program. Michael Sims, our Regional Business Development Manager for International Markets, presented a case study on our floating safety boom installation at Scotland’s Lairg Dam.

Located on Loch Shin, the dam presented a public safety challenge. Recreational watercraft, swimmers and walkers could potentially approach hazardous areas around its spillway and intake.

Our team engineered a 265m floating safety boom to establish a clearly visible exclusion zone while accommodating a 5.79m variation in reservoir water levels.

The design also had to account for limited flow data, restricted anchor positioning and challenging installation conditions. The completed system demonstrated how our tailored floating barriers can provide effective physical protection around critical dam infrastructure.

Michael’s presentation generated further interest among delegates. It highlighted the role of physical safety systems alongside the digital monitoring technologies hydropower operators increasingly use.

Delivering solutions for the hydropower industry

Beyond the technical program, HYDRO 2026 provided valuable opportunities for us to engage with developers, contractors and specialist equipment suppliers. These included potential European partners offering complementary intake screening and debris removal technologies.

These discussions reinforced the potential for integrated approaches. Combining our upstream floating barriers with established intake protection systems helps operators manage debris more effectively and reduce maintenance requirements.

With new project opportunities emerging across international markets, HYDRO 2026 helped us to continue strengthening our offering in the hydropower sector. We are applying our engineering expertise to help operators protect infrastructure, improve operational reliability, and address evolving environmental challenges.

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