Silt Curtains

Trade Enviro supplies heavy-duty floating silt curtains for marine construction, dredging, piling and shoreline works across Australia. Standard and custom systems are available in multiple draft depths, float sizes and ballast configurations to suit all environments.

Designed to control suspended sediment and turbidity during in-water works, floating silt curtains help limit sediment migration and support environmental compliance requirements on construction and civil projects. Also referred to as floating turbidity curtains or sediment curtains, these containment barriers use a buoyant float and weighted skirt to contain suspended particles while allowing controlled water flow beneath the curtain.

Trusted by industrial operators across Australia

Available Configurations

Standard configurations are available for a wide range of marine, dredging, and in-water construction conditions. Heavy-duty and custom options are available on request.

Technical Definitions

• Freeboard: Distance from waterline to top of float chamber
• Draft: Distance from waterline to bottom of curtain
• Skirt: Material between float and ballast chain pocket
• Ballast: Galvanised chain providing stability at the curtain base
• Connector: ASTM standard Z-connector system

Why Choose A Silt Curtain?

Types of Silt Curtains

Silt curtains are supplied in different configurations depending on water conditions, project duration, and sediment control requirements.

Standard silt curtains
Designed for general sediment control in sheltered or low-energy waterways. Suitable for many construction, dredging, and shoreline works where water movement is minimal to moderate.

Heavy-duty silt curtains
Built for higher-energy environments such as tidal waterways, exposed marine sites, and long-term deployments. These curtains typically use larger floats, heavier ballast, and reinforced skirts for added stability.

Custom silt curtains
Configured to suit specific site conditions, including non-standard depths, extended lengths, alternative skirt materials, or specialised ballast and anchoring requirements.

Typical Applications

Silt curtains (also referred to as turbidity curtains, sediment curtains, or silt booms) are commonly used to control sediment migration during:

• Marine construction works
  Jetty, bridge, marina, and shoreline construction activities where floating turbidity curtains are required to control suspended sediment.
• Dredging operations
  Containing suspended sediment generated during dredging to protect surrounding water quality.
• Piling and marine excavation
  Limiting sediment dispersion during in-water piling and excavation works.
• Developments near waterways
  Managing sediment runoff from construction activities adjacent to rivers, estuaries, lakes, and coastal areas.
• Environmental and remediation projects
  Isolating disturbed sediment during aquatic vegetation management or remediation works.

Design & Installation Considerations

The performance of a silt curtain or floating sediment curtain depends on matching the curtain design to site conditions and installing it correctly.

Key design factors include:

• Float size and freeboard – affects buoyancy, visibility, and surface stability
• Skirt material and depth – determines sediment containment performance
• Ballast weight – provides stability and maintains curtain shape in moving water
• Connection method – ensures continuity between curtain sections

Installation considerations:

• Water depth, currents, and tidal movement
• Riverbed or seabed composition (sand, mud, rock)
• Anchoring and tension requirements in flowing or tidal environments

Proper assessment of these factors helps ensure the curtain remains effective throughout the project duration.