The Top 5 Signs It’s Time to Dredge Your Lagoon or Pond
Out of sight doesn’t mean out of trouble.
Sediment buildup happens slowly but the impact on your pond, lagoon, or basin can hit fast. If you manage a wastewater facility, stormwater pond, industrial lagoon, or freshwater retention system, knowing when to dredge isn’t just smart it’s essential to protecting your infrastructure, budget, and operations.
At VMI Dredges, we work with professionals across industries who face the same challenge: recognizing the right time to dredge before it becomes an emergency.
Here are the top 5 warning signs it’s time to act.
1. Noticeable Loss of Depth
If your pond or lagoon doesn’t hold as much water as it used to, that’s a clear indicator of sediment accumulation. Sediment slowly reduces water volume, which decreases retention capacity, disrupts treatment processes, and accelerates the need for reactive maintenance.
What to watch for:
Exposed pond liners or unexpected shallow zones
Overflow occurring earlier than expected
Reduced detention time for wastewater or runoff
Pro Tip: Use a simple depth rod or sonar to routinely measure sediment levels. Establish a baseline and monitor changes over time.
2. Increased Algae Growth or Odors
Sediment-rich ponds often trap nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. As these accumulate, algae blooms flourish—and so do the smells. Surface scum, murky water, and strong sulfuric or sewage-like odors are signs your system is no longer in balance.
The cause?
Excess nutrients and organic matter sitting in the sediment layer.
The solution?
Dredging removes the nutrient-laden layer and restores water quality before more aggressive (and costly) treatments are needed.
3. Slow or Blocked Flow
For stormwater detention systems or industrial lagoons, proper flow is critical. Sediment restricts channels, clogs intake pipes, and alters basin hydraulics. That’s more than an inconvenience it’s a flooding risk.
Common signs:
Standing water where flow used to occur
Pumps straining to move water
Unexpected backup or overflow events
Dredging restores capacity and prevents system failures especially ahead of storm seasons.
4. Increased Maintenance Costs
If you're spending more time clearing blockages, replacing pumps, treating water chemistry, or fixing erosion around inflow/outflow areas, sediment may be the root cause.
Here’s the math:
Routine dredging is significantly more affordable than constant emergency repair. If you’re seeing labor and material costs rise without clear ROI dredging may be overdue.
5. You Can See the Sediment Line
If you’re visually seeing islands of material, soft mounds, or discoloration across the basin bottom, the time to act is now.
Letting sediment accumulate beyond visible thresholds leads to:
Emergency shutdowns
Fish kills or habitat collapse
Regulatory violations (for industrial and municipal sites)
Why Early Dredging Saves You Money
Dredging isn’t just about fixing a problem, it’s about preventing bigger ones. Routine sediment management protects water quality, infrastructure, compliance, and overall system performance.
Here’s what proactive dredging delivers:
✅ Predictable maintenance schedules
✅ Lower operational risk
✅ Better water quality outcomes
✅ Higher capacity and flow efficiency
✅ Longer life for your pond or lagoon
VMI Dredges: Your Partner in Preventative Sediment Management
From compact horizontal dredges for small ponds to heavy-duty cutter suction systems for industrial basins, VMI Dredges offers custom-built equipment that works hard and lasts longer. We’ll help you choose the right system, and get dredging done with minimal disruption.
📞 Ready to talk sediment?
Pat Sumpter, Sales Manager, 918-225-7000, Ext. 12
www.vmidredges.com • sales@vmi-dredges.com
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