Canal Dredging
Canal Dredging in Palm Beach & Broward
Restore navigational depth to residential and neighborhood canals.
Residential and community canals across South Florida were originally cut to depths between 4 and 8 feet. Decades of tidal migration, hurricane scour, and prop-wash from heavier boats have shoaled many of these basins to a fraction of design depth. We restore navigational depth using low-impact hydraulic and mechanical dredges sized to the site — often working from the water so shoreline landscaping stays intact.
What's included
- Private residential slips, dock-face clear-outs, and boat-lift restoration
- HOA and shared-canal waterway maintenance with cost-splitting guidance
- Depth surveys and pre-dredge bathymetry so the scope is fixed-price, not open-ended
- Turbidity curtains, silt containment, and manatee protection per FDEP guidance
- Coordinated seawall or dock work through our parent company South Florida Seawall
How the project runs
- Step 1 — Site survey
On-water depth soundings and shoreline walk. We map the shoal, tag hard bottom, and identify utility crossings before pricing.
- Step 2 — Permit assembly
FDEP, USACE Section 10/404, county ERM, and city building permits — packaged and submitted together to avoid rework.
- Step 3 — Mobilization
Barge, dredge, and spoil-handling equipment staged from the nearest boat ramp. Mobilization starts at $3,000 for most residential jobs.
- Step 4 — Dredging
Removal priced from $150 per cubic yard depending on material type, disposal distance, and access. Turbidity monitored throughout.
- Step 5 — Verification
Post-dredge sounding confirms design depth. You get a signed as-built survey suitable for your insurance and future sale.
FAQ
- How deep can you dredge a residential canal?
- We dredge to the design depth on your original permit — typically 4 to 6 feet at mean low water for residential slips. We do not over-dredge past permit depth because the sediment simply migrates back in and the permit voids.
- Do I need a permit to dredge my own canal?
- Yes. Any dredging in Florida navigable waters requires FDEP authorization and, if the waterway connects to the Intracoastal or another jurisdictional water, USACE. County ERM and city building permits also apply. We handle the full package.
- How much does canal dredging cost?
- Residential dredging starts at $3,000 mobilization plus $150 per cubic yard of material removed. Volume is the main driver — a small dock-side clear-out may be $6,000 total; a full basin restoration can run $40,000+. We give a fixed price after the survey.
- Can neighbors split the cost of shared canal dredging?
- Yes, and it's the smart way to do it. If four homes share a canal, mobilization gets split four ways, spoil disposal is more efficient, and permits cover the whole reach. We work directly with HOAs and informal neighbor groups.
Related glossary
Get a free site survey
Tell us about your project and we'll schedule a no-cost on-water survey.