Turbidity Curtain – DOT Type 3 Turbidity Curtain

Product Features & Materials

Silt and turbidity curtains consist of a floating boom and a flexible fabric skirt that extends to the bottom of the body of water. While similar to an oil containment boom in some ways, a silt curtain skirt is much longer as suspended silt may be found in any depth of water.

Silt and turbidity curtains are typically supplied in 50 or 100-foot sections. The total length of a silt curtain will depend on individual project demands. Silt curtain fabric may vary in terms of durability and skirt type (filtration or solid fabric). When waves or fast-moving water are present, it may be useful to add tension cables or taller floats. Silt curtains also come in a variety of bright colors to warn others of their presence.

Silt/Turbidity Curtain Type III consists of the same specifications as Curtain Type II but with additional specs: 

• It consists of 18oz, 22oz, 24oz, or 30oz PVC coated fabric: Yellow or Orange
• 6″ to 12" closed-cell foam float depending on skirt depth
• Custom skirt depth
• 1/4″ / 5/16″ / 3/8″ Galvanized Chain Ballast
• 2 x 5/16" Galvanized or Stainless Steel top tension cables; One above the float  pocket and one below it
• There is a strip of 2″ webbing that runs along the depth of the skirt on both ends that is punched with #4 grommets every 6″ to connect sections
• It is common to use nylon rope to tie this together; ACME also offers toggle pins as an option for this.
• ASTM aluminum couplers (slide or quick latch) at the float and cable line

Silt curtains may be used wherever sediment or other harmful materials may be entering an environment. Silt commonly results from construction or demolition near aquatic environments. In such cases, implementing a silt curtain is an effective way to prevent harm to aquatic life. Silt curtains may be used in a variety of locations, from ponds and lakes to harbors and inner coastal sites.

Choosing the correct type of silt or turbidity curtain may mean the difference between a successful containment and a failed attempt. Silt curtain type depends on two main components: water and site environments. It is important to factor in water flow rates, wave height and frequency, water type (salt or freshwater), and tides (if applicable) when deciding which silt curtain to deploy. Additionally, the wind speed and direction, project type and duration, and particle size and contamination level should be considered. 

For Curtain Type III: It is ideal for tidal areas where currents change due to tidal and wind action. This silt/turbidity curtain has two top cables with ASTM aluminum couplers, a rounded closed cell foam float at the top, with PVC-coated fabric, and a galvanized chain ballast at the bottom. 

Regulatory Compliance Considerations

For years the Federal Department of Transportation (DOT) and other agencies have required the use of silt or turbidity curtains in waterways, lakes, rivers, and oceans where construction or human involvement may disturb sediment in and around these bodies of water.

The Clean Water Act and the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NDPES) require that federal and state agencies enforce laws to keep marine ecosystems clean. The most efficient solution for compliance with these regulations is through the use of floating turbidity or silt curtains.

ACME custom manufactures two different types of turbidity and silt curtains: solid fabric skirts and filter screen skirts. Manufacturing these to customer specifications creates a reliable method of controlling silt and sediment in the water. ACME curtains are used at pipeline crossing construction sites, marine construction and demolition sites, discharge locations, home construction sites, dredging operations and much more!

Installation and Deployment of Floating Silt Curtain Type I

• ACME Environmental Turbidity and Silt Curtains are designed to provide proper compliance with The Clean Water Act and the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NDPES) requirements. These barriers are considered to be the most effective method of compliance and we custom manufacture these according to all customer specifications. Our barriers/curtains can be manufactured with both solid fabric or filter screen skirts in various sizes to fit multiple needs.
  • Type I Curtain: Ideal in calm and protected areas of water, such as lakes with little to no current. This silt/turbidity curtain has a rounded closed cell foam float at the top, with PVC coated fabric and a galvanized chain ballast at the bottom.
• The position of the curtain is maintained by having constant tension throughout the ballast chain or cables to minimize arcing in the curtain caused by wind and current. When ensuring even distribution of tension throughout the curtain, end connectors play an important role. The connectors provide multiple points of attachment making sure tension forces are in the right places.