FAQ

Dredging questions, answered.

The questions we hear most from waterfront owners, HOAs, and marina operators across Palm Beach and Broward counties.

How much does canal dredging cost in Palm Beach County?

Residential dredging starts at $3,000 for mobilization plus $150 per cubic yard of material removed. A small dock-side clear-out often runs $6,000–$10,000 total; a full basin restoration can reach $40,000 or more. We give a fixed price after an on-water survey.

Do I need a permit to dredge my canal in Florida?

Yes. Any dredging in Florida navigable waters requires FDEP authorization and, if the waterway is connected to the Intracoastal or another jurisdictional water, USACE Section 10/404. County ERM and a city building permit also apply. We package and submit all of it.

How long does the permitting process take?

Plan for 6 to 9 months from complete-application to permit-in-hand. FDEP and USACE review in parallel, county and city usually finish sooner. Complex or contested projects can run 12+ months. We start permits immediately after the survey.

What areas do you serve?

Palm Beach County and Broward County, Florida — 19 cities including Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, West Palm Beach, Jupiter, Fort Lauderdale, Lighthouse Point, Pompano Beach, and Hollywood. See our Service Area page for the full list.

How do I know if my canal needs dredging?

Common signs: your boat hits bottom at low tide, your boat lift won't lower fully, you're losing depth at the dock face, new shoreline vegetation is growing where water used to be, or a recent survey shows less depth than your permit drawing. Three or more of these usually means it's overdue.

How deep can you dredge?

We dredge to the design depth on your original permit — typically 4 to 6 feet for residential slips, 6 to 8 feet for yacht basins, and 10 to 12 feet for mega-yacht basins where the permit allows. We never dredge past permitted depth because that voids the permit.

How long does a residential dredging job take?

Most residential projects are 3 to 10 working days on the water. Add 6 to 9 months for permits before that. If you're on a permitted timeline, tell us and we'll sequence accordingly.

Can neighbors split the cost of shared canal dredging?

Yes, and it's the smart way to do it. Mobilization splits across all participating homes, spoil disposal becomes more efficient, and one permit can cover the whole reach. We work directly with HOAs and informal neighbor groups.

Are you licensed and insured?

Yes. Palm Beach Dredging is a licensed Florida marine contractor, fully insured for general liability, marine pollution, and Jones Act crew coverage. Our parent South Florida Seawall carries the structural marine construction license for seawall, dock, and lift work. Certificates on request.

Do you handle seawall, dock, and lift work too?

Yes — through our parent company South Florida Seawall. We coordinate dredging with seawall repair, dock construction, and boat lift installation in a single mobilization when it fits, which usually saves cost.

What is a hydraulic dredge and when is it used?

A hydraulic dredge uses a rotating cutter head to loosen sediment and a pump to slurry the material through a discharge pipe to a dewatering site. It's the standard tool for fine sediment (silt, sand, muck) and residential canals where minimizing turbidity matters. See our glossary for more.

What is turbidity and why does it matter?

Turbidity is the cloudiness of water from suspended sediment. Every FDEP dredging permit sets a turbidity threshold (measured in NTU) that you can't exceed at the boundary of the work zone. We use turbidity curtains and monitor continuously to stay in compliance.

Can you dredge under my dock without removing it?

Usually yes. Small hydraulic cutter heads reach under fixed docks, and we can work around finger piers. For very tight geometry or heavy fouling we sometimes recommend selective dock removal, but that's uncommon.

What is a manatee protection plan?

Any in-water work in Palm Beach or Broward between November and March typically requires a manatee watch plan under FDEP rules. Trained spotters observe the work zone and pause operations if a manatee is within 50 feet. We include the plan in every permit package.

Where does the dredged material go?

Depends on the material. Clean sand can sometimes be reused for beach nourishment or shoreline restoration. Fine sediment goes to an approved upland disposal site after dewatering. Contaminated material has its own disposal path. We identify the route as part of the permit application.