Silt curtains, also known as turbidity curtains, silt barriers or turbidity barriers, are vertical barriers deployed in water bodies during activities like marine construction, dredging or land reclamation. These barriers float on the water’s surface and extend downward to form a temporary wall. Their primary purpose is to contain fine particles like sediment and silt within a specific area, allowing them to settle rather than dispersing and clouding the surrounding water.
By containing suspended particles, these floating barriers help protect the environment from the adverse impacts of marine activities, thereby reducing the environmental footprint. Additionally, silt curtains ensure compliance with environmental regulations while supporting the efficient continuation of operations. Engineering and marine services, including water quality monitoring, are available if needed. Get in touch to learn how we can support your next project.
Introducing Ecobarrier Silt Curtains for rapid assembly and improved silt and sediment containment.
Having a contracting background, we understand your on-site requirements. Our latest design innovation features fully integrated Quick Connect ‘No-Gap’ panels, ensuring rapid assembly and enhanced containment capabilities. Rigorous calculations were performed to guarantee the Ecobarrier Silt Curtains meet and even exceed performance specifications.
Marineforce, our proprietary force calculator is available as a service, to accurately calculate forces on silt curtains.
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ESC-range
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Reflective strips, modular/tapered skirts, branding
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Water quality monitoring (WQM), turbidity monitoring, demarcation buoys and lighting, Ecomoor Mooring Line, alternative anchoring, boat rental
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Inshore, nearshore, offshore
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Low to strong (> 1.5m/s)
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Short to extended exposure (> 1.5m)
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Short to long
Ecobarrier Silt Curtains Premium, fully compliant with RPSC-23.
Ecobarrier Silt Curtains Premium are designed in compliance with the International Recommended Practice for Design, Development and Operation of Silt Curtains (RPSC-23).
This new model is reusable, 100% recyclable and comes with a 100% containment guarantee enhanced from our 2018 experience with The Ocean Cleanup. This not only reduces replacement and repair costs, but also promotes sustainability. When compliance, performance and sustainability matter, this is your curtain.
Marineforce, our proprietary force calculator is available as a service, to accurately calculate forces on silt curtains.
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ESC-P-range
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Reflective strips, modular/tapered skirts, branding
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Water quality monitoring (WQM), turbidity monitoring, demarcation buoys and lighting, Ecomoor Mooring Line, alternative anchoring, boat rental
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Inshore, nearshore, offshore
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Low to strong (< 1.5m/s)
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Short to extended exposure (> 1.5m)
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Short to long
Ecobarrier Silt Curtain Green: Designed for performance, sustainability and cost-efficiency in marine protection.
The Ecobarrier Silt Curtain Green is a smarter, more sustainable solution for silt control. Designed to reduce environmental impact, save costs and ensure reliable performance, it’s an EPS-free silt curtain, giving industries a sustainable way to meet regulations, achieve their environmental targets, and protect marine ecosystems.
Learn more about the Ecobarrier Silt Curtain Green and its benefits in our detailed blogpost.
To ensure maximum safety and visibility on-site, this silt curtain is manufactured using high-visibility orange material. The green version shown is for demonstration purposes only.
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ESC-G-range
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Reflective strips, modular/tapered skirts, branding
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Water quality monitoring (WQM), turbidity monitoring, demarcation buoys and lighting, Ecomoor Mooring Line, alternative anchoring, boat rental, sustainability reporting
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Inshore, nearshore
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Medium to strong (< 1.5m/s)
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Up to moderate waves, frequent whitecaps
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Short to long
To provide solutions for environmental protection, safety and security applications – engineered to monitor, protect and regenerate. We follow the Ecocoast 4Ds framework to ensure innovation, sustainability and long-term impact.
Every solution is uniquely designed by our engineering team, leveraging intellectual property and a deep understanding of the specific challenges that you face.
By managing installation, servicing and after-care, we guarantee quality control, optimal performance and exceptional client satisfaction.
We innovate and manufacture our own products, ensuring they are engineered for performance, sustainability and cost-efficiency.
We aim to lead the industry by advocating for sustainability, raising awareness about coastal and waterway regeneration, and collaborating with stakeholders to create lasting positive impacts on the environment and communities around us.
Silt curtains or turbidity curtains are flexible barriers installed vertically in the water. They are designed to confine and control the spread of suspended particles such as silt and sediment.
The primary purpose of silt curtains is to manage and limit the movement of these fine particles generated by activities such as dredging, marine construction or shoreline protection. By creating a controlled environment, these curtains allow silt and sediment to settle out of the water, reducing turbidity (cloudiness) and helping to maintain water clarity. This is crucial for protecting aquatic ecosystems, preventing contamination, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.
Silt curtains work by creating a physical barrier that limits the lateral dispersion of sediments. Suspended in the water column, they allow normal water flow while preventing sediment from spreading into cleaner areas. By containing the sediment within a defined zone, they help to reduce turbidity and ensure that the disturbed material does not negatively affect water quality or nearby ecosystems.
Silt curtains, also known as turbidity curtains, come in several types and specifications, which can vary by region and project requirements.
In the Gulf region, silt curtains follow a Type x model code (eg. Type I, Type II, Type III, Type IV). At first glance, these codes look similar to the USA system, but the curtains themselves are much stronger and could not be more different. Ecocoast was the first to introduce the Type I, II, III, IV coding to the Gulf region. In 2011, silt curtains used to be produced to meet USA DOT specifications.
Read blogpost for more information.
Applications include:
● Dredging and reclamation operations.
● Marine construction such as bridge building or pier installation.
● Underwater pipeline and cable installation.
● Coastal and shoreline protection projects.
● Environmental protection for projects near sensitive habitats, coral reefs.
Installing silt curtains requires careful consideration of site-specific conditions. The process begins with thorough site assessment to determine optimal positioning. Critical engineering factors include calculating sufficient curtain length, selecting appropriate ballast weights based on current speeds, and ensuring proper anchor spacing.
We have detailed installation manuals available and also offer training, professional supervision, or complete installation services including relocation and removal to ensure optimal performance and regulatory compliance.
Regular maintenance of silt/turbidity curtains is essential to ensure their effectiveness and longevity. This includes routine visual inspections for damage or displacement, checking anchor points and mooring lines, among others. At Ecocoast, we make maintenance even easier by offering a mobile repair team that can quickly address any issues on-site, minimizing downtime and ensuring your project remains compliant and protected.
Silt and turbidity curtains are available in a variety of sizes and specifications to suit different project requirements and environmental conditions. For advice on specific size options and detailed specifications,please contact our sales team.
You can buy high-quality silt curtains from several reputable suppliers worldwide. We offer the Ecobarrier Silt Curtain range, including the innovative, EPS-free Ecobarrier Silt Curtain Green. Our silt curtains are fully customized and come with options for water quality monitoring, manufactured to meet stringent environmental standards.
When selecting a supplier, consider your project’s specific requirements, environmental conditions, and the need for additional services such as installation, monitoring, maintenance or relocation. We stand out for our focus on sustainability, customization and comprehensive support services.
Contact our sales team for a personalized quote and take advantage of our tailored, turnkey solutions including expert installation and ongoing support services.
Using silt/turbidity curtains offers several environmental benefits:
• Prevent sediment and pollutants from spreading into clean water areas, preserving water quality in lakes, waterways and seas.
• Protect sensitive aquatic habitats such as coral reefs, seagrass meadows, mangroves and shellfish beds from the harmful effects of increased turbidity and sedimentation.
• Maintain the well-being and biodiversity of marine ecosystems, ensuring they remain healthy and undisturbed.
• Support compliance with environmental regulations for construction and development projects near water bodies.
• Demonstrate a commitment to sustainable and responsible environmental practices, which can enhance project reputation and meet sustainability reporting requirements.
Our silt curtains can be reused or relocated, reducing waste and supporting broader sustainability goals. We also offer recycling as a service.