Turbidity Curtains are floating barriers that are used in marine construction and dredging projects to control the dispersion silt and sediment suspended during commercial activities. Turbidity Curtains are also known as silt curtains or silt screens.  Turbidity curtains can be used to ensure compliance and protect the environment. They also aid in the operation of pumps, other equipment, and help to maintain project safety. The Turbidity Curtains manufactured by Texas Boom Company comply with the Clean Water Act. Multiple silt curtains can be placed in parallel to improve the control of silt and runoff. Texas Boom Company can provide a wide range of skirt thicknesses and fabric weights to suit your project requirements. Permeable and impermeable skirts can be ordered upon request. Turbidity Curtain types I, II, and III are recommended respectively for slow, medium and fast moving water. 

There are many options available for customizing your silt curtain according to your specific needs. Our turbidity curtain specialists can help you design a barrier that meets your needs. Texas Boom Company will help you find the right solution for your project. There are several different types of Turbidity Curtains. Type I turbidity curtains, also known as silt curtains and Type 1, are designed to reduce sediment runoff in calm waters. These turbidity curtains use foam-filled floats (also known as Freeboards) and skirts that range from 3 to 20 feet in height. These floating silt curtains prevent the water from absorbing any silt or sediment. Type I turbidity curtains can be used in calm waters that are protected from wind exposure. They are suitable for use in lakes, canals or streams with little wind exposure. Type 1 silt curtains, which are lighter-weight fabric and do not require aluminum connectors, are the most cost-effective. 

Type II Turbidity Curtains, also known as silt curtains and Type 2, are designed to reduce sediment runoff in slow-moving waters. These turbidity curtains use foam-filled floats (also known as Freeboards) and skirts that range from 5 to 50 feet in height. These floating silt curtains prevent the water from absorbing any silt or sediment. Type II turbidity curtains can be used in slow-moving waters like lakes, streams, canals and slow moving rivers. Type 2 silt curtains feature aluminum end connectors and grommets with reinforced side seams. Type III turbidity curtains, also known as silt curtains and Type 3 curtains, are designed to reduce sediment and runoff in moving water and moderate wind and wave conditions. These turbidity curtains use foam-filled floats (also known as Freeboards) and skirts that range from 5 to 50 feet in height. These floating silt curtains prevent the flow of sediment or silt that might be suspended in the water. Type III turbidity curtains can be used in moving water bodies such as rivers, bays and harbors. Type 3 silt curtains use aluminum end connectors and grommets with reinforced side seams. Connector plates are attached using toggle pins, while grommets can be joined with rope, nuts & bolts or strong zipties. If you require any type of Turbidity Curtain, Texas Boom Company is the place for you. 

Cranberry Booms, from Texas Boom.

How Texas Boom helps Cranberry Growers:

The trailing vines that bear cranberries are similar to those of strawberries. To thrive, they need unique soil and water conditions. They can be grown in low-lying wetlands, commonly referred to as marshes or bogs. Cranberry bogs are flooded in winter to protect the cranberry plants from the cold.  The plants can't grow under water, so the bogs must be drained in the spring. The plants begin their growth period in the spring and continue until fall. To pollinate bogs, bees are needed. Growers use one to two bee hives per acre in the summer to do this crucial step. The vines are also protected during the growth window by growers who fertilize, weed, and maintain them.

There are two ways to harvest cranberries in the fall: wet harvesting or dry harvesting. Dry harvesting means that the berries are then combed from vines and taken home. These berries are often sold to the markets as fresh cranberries. This harvest method can be labor-intensive, and more expensive. This harvests less than 10% of the annual crop. The vast majority of berries can be harvested using wet harvesting. Cranberries can be displaced from their vines by floating because of their internal air pocket. Cranberry growers flood the bogs with water, then use water reels (or egg beaters) in order to stir the water to remove the cranberries. The floating berries can then be gathered with Cranberry Booms and dragged to their collection points. Once the cranberries have been drawn in by the booms, they are either vacuumed out of the water or transferred via conveyor belt to a truck for transportation to a processing plant. These wet cranberries can then be used to make juices, sauces, and other products. Corralling is the process of collecting floating cranberries.Texas Boom Company offers these floating cranberry barriers to cranberry growers. To corral the berries, in the beginning, growers used wooden booms. These boards can be heavy and difficult to transport. The floating Cranberry Booms have proven to be more effective than traditional cranberry boards in that they can concentrate the berries in one central place for easy removal from the flooded Bog.

Texas Boom's Cranberry Boom products are designed to be used to corral the cranberries. Because the boom is flexible, light-weight and durable, it allows the boom to be retrieved with less labor, drawing the cranberries in towards the collection point. A permeable mesh skirt reduces the drag when retrieving the cranberry boom. The 50 foot or 100 foot sections can be attached end to end. They can be easily dragged from bog to bog during the harvest, and fold accordion-style for transport and storage when not in use.  Closed-cell foam is used for flotation, while a ballast chain keeps the Cranberry Boom upright during use.  Anchor points and drain holes make it easier to maneuver the boom. This results in a more efficient harvesting process. It also helps to reduce injuries to workers and thus cutting down worker's compensation claims. All of these benefits contribute to a better return on investment and higher profitability. Farmers do what they do for the love of the industry, but also want to provide for their families and their employees. Utilizing cranberry booms during the harvest process makes good business sense.  If you require assistance collecting your cranberries, Texas Boom Company can help! 

View our Cranberry Booms

Most marine constructions result in soil erosion that results in more suspended particles. This suspended sediment can travel long distances depending on current and wave action and impact water turbidity, marine life and fish feeding behavior. Turbidity curtains are used to contain and deflect sediment in the immediate area of construction. Texas Boom has been manufacturing Turbidity Curtains for over 35 years. You can trust that the Texas Boom’s products will greatly help with containing an oil spill. 

Water direction is another important element. Water flow conditions are a key factor in the design of the correct turbidity barrier. Turbidity barriers, which are not dams, are not meant to stop water flow. Instead, they trap sediment. They should not be placed across channel flows. A turbidity barrier must be used in water moving conditions, such as a river or shoreline. It is important to ensure that the volume of water within the barrier does not fluctuate. The containment system may include water anchors or land. It is crucial to consider rising and falling tides in order to prevent the floating barrier from submerging. If the curtain will remain in the same place, a permeable skirt is recommended. Permeable woven filter fabric lets water pass through the curtain while keeping sediment in the work area. When designing a turbidity barrier, water flow and the size of sediment particles should be considered.

The integrity of a Turbidity Barrier is largely dependent on how well the ends are secured to water and/or land. The floating and the lower weighted ends must reach the shoreline to completely enclose the area where sediment could enter the water. The curtain can be attached to the end by attaching it with trees or other large, solid objects. The fabric can be made impermeable to create a barrier against water flow. Silt curtains are not water impoundment dams. They should not be expected to stop water flow. The purpose of silt curtains is to isolate the work area and allow sediment to settle out of suspension. A permeable skirt is often used. Silt Curtains may be installed in layers. Multiple silt curtains can be placed in parallel to improve the control of silt and runoff. You can choose between impermeable or permeable skirts. Types I, II, and III are suitable for medium and slow moving water respectively. Permeable skirts with silt curtains allow water to flow through them while keeping the sediment or silt contained in the water. Geotextile fabric is used to make permeable skirts. Permeable skirts can be used in situations with high water, waves or other challenging conditions. Texas Boom has been in the oil spill response industry for over 35 years. They have a wide variety of products designed to assist the oil spill response industry in containing spills. They will point you in the right direction of oil spill containment products that will have your waterway cleaned in an environmentally friendly manner.