Land reclamation can be achieved relatively quickly by dredging suitable material, either from a borrow area, or as a by-product of capital dredging, as seen left, where sand is being pumped into a reclamation lagoon in Belfast Harbour during a Partnership major project. The pipeline is connected over the bow of TSHD, ‘Alpha B’.

Land reclamation may be a beneficial by-product of capital, or maintenance dredging. The unwanted dredge material is discharged ashore instead of being disposed of at sea.

Reclamation lagoons are designed so that the transport water drains via weirs remote from the point of pump discharge. As the sediment-laden water flows across the lagoon it loses velocity and deposits all but the finest sediments. A degree of natural grading of material will occur. The bulldozer shown to the right is spreading sand fill to the required gradient and level. This process also helps to compact the material. The sand fill originated from dredging to widen the navigation approach to Belfast Harbour. The whole project was overseen by the Partnership.

The early stages of land reclamation from the sea may require the formation of bunds. In the picture to the left material is being pumped from a cutter suction dredger, directly to the deposit area. The discharge pipe is moved progressively along the line of the proposed bund forming a continuous mound. Once completed lighter grade materials can be pumped into the lagoon behind the newly formed bund.