3
Data Collection Program
The data collection program was designed to provide information for evalu-
ating the dredging methodology's ability to meet the two primary objectives
developed for the demonstration project:
a. Demonstrate safe navigation and dredging operations of the flexible-
discharge dustpan dredge on the Mississippi River in the HOP area.
b. Demonstrate sufficient production capability to dredge and place
material in a designated marsh construction site.
The various onboard-dredge, dredging prism, and placement area parameters
monitored during the demonstration are listed in Table 1. In addition, pilots of
the Associated Branch Pilots (Bar Pilots) of the Port of New Orleans who stood
watch on the Beachbuilder during the demonstration were asked their opinion
about the navigation safety aspects of operating this type of dredge on the river.
A survey of participating Associated Branch Pilots is included in Appendix B.
Table 1
Data Collection Parameters
Onboard Beachbuilder
Dredging Prism
Placement Area
Date, Time
River stage
Hydrographic surveys
Slurry pipeline velocity