BCI Engineers and Scientists

BCI conducted a feasibility study on Lake Maggiore for the City of St. Petersburg to determine the most effective method of removing organic sediments from the bottom of the 350-acre lake located in a highly urbanized area. The project’s purpose was to improve highly impacted water quality, habitat, and navigation due.

There were a number of components that made this project unique. BCI worked with the governor and his cabinet to successfully obtain project permits because of Pinellas County’s environmental designation as Aquatic Presence. It was determined that approximately 2.3 million cubic yards of sand and highly organic sediment would need to be removed to achieve optimum restoration. Sediment removal methods studied were hydraulic dredging and lake drawdown/ mechanical excavation.

The method selected for bidding was hydraulic dredging. Sediment reuse options that were studied included in-lake disposal areas, remote disposal, and production of beneficial/usable products. BCI designed and permitted a specialized de-sanding and dewatering system. A dredge contractor was selected, and project implementation concluded in 2008.