Understanding Suction Dredging & Material Volume
What We Do:
We use a suction dredge to remove heavy organic muck, silt, and sand from beneath docks, boat lifts, and waterfront structures — clearing up to 2–4 feet of buildup and restoring depth. Standard docks can be done in about one (1) day.
Why the Pile Looks Smaller in Our Disposal Units:
That black muck we remove is up to 80% water. Once it drains and settles, it shrinks drastically — and that’s totally normal.
| Material Type | Shrinkage Rate | Final Volume |
| Clean Sand | ~25% shrinkage | ~75% of pumped volume |
| Silty Sand | ~50% shrinkage | ~50% of pumped volume |
| Muck / Organic Silt | ~65-80% shrinkage | ~20-35% of pumped volume |
Example: Pump 12 cubic yards of muck → get ~4.2 cubic yards of settled material.
Why It Matters:
- You don’t need 20 truckloads to make a difference.
- A smaller pile = mission accomplished — we removed all that heavy material from under your structure and put the clean water back.
- Since we’re using suction dredging most residential dredging results in massive water volume, not just solids.
Does Your Dock or Boat Lift Need Suction Dredging?
If you’ve experienced a build-up of mud, debris, or sand — what we refer to as “the muck monster” — then it might be time to schedule an appointment with the dock doctor. Read our dedicated blog post on the benefits of dredging here.
Ready to beat the muck monster and get your dock back? Our dedicated suction dredging team at Overall Outdoor & Marine Services is ready to help you fight back. Call us at 239-365-1680 or contact us here to get started.