Patent ID: 6827525
Filing Date: 2004-12-07
Classification: E02B

Abstract:
A system for building up sediment in a water-covered area, comprising:(A) a plurality of boom segments connected end-to-end in an essentially closed shape, each boom segment comprising: (i) a floatable body having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a lower side portion; (ii) a first body-connecting means attached to the first end portion of the body; (iii) a second body-connecting means attached to the second end portion of the body; (iv) a sieve panel having an upper portion, a lower portion, and first and second side portions, the sieve panel being attached along its upper portion to the body with the first and second side portions of the sieve panel being respectively aligned with the first and second end portions of the body and the sieve panel having a first sieve-panel connecting means disposed upon the first side portion and a second sieve-panel connecting means disposed upon the second side portion, the sieve panel having a height greater than or approximately equal to the depth of the water in the water-covered area and the sieve being made from water-permeable, fine-meshed material; wherein the first body-connecting means of each segment is connected to the second body-connecting means of an adjacent segment, and the first sieve-panel connecting means of each sieve panel is connected to the second sieve-panel connecting means of an adjacent sieve panel; (B) a sediment source depositing sediment inside the area substantially enclosed by the essentially closed shape formed by the boom segments; and (C) a wasteweir segment disposed so as to close the substantially closed shape formed by the floating boom segments, the wasteweir segment comprising: (i) an essentially orthogonal frame, the height of the frame being at least about equal to the depth of the water in the water-covered area, the frame having a first side portion, a second side portion, and a base having first and second end portions, the first side portion having a lower end portion attached to the first end portion of the base and a second side portion having a lower end portion attached to the second end portion of the base, the frame having disposed upon the top portion of its first side portion a first wasteweir-body connecting means and having disposed upon the top portion of its second side portion a second wasteweir-body connecting means, the first side portion having disposed thereon a first wasteweir-sieve connecting means, and the second side portion having disposed thereon a second wasteweir-sieve connecting means, and a barrier receiving means; the wasteweir segment being connected by the first wasteweir-body connecting means to the second body-connecting means of a first boom segment and being connected by the second wasteweir-body connecting means to the first body-connecting means of a second boom segment, the wasteweir segment being disposed so that it closes the substantially closed shape formed by the floating boom segments; and (ii) a barrier element adapted to be engaged by the barrier receiving means of the wasteweir segment.