Pond and Lake Dredging Services

Red Dirt Contracting is a family-owned company with over 10 years of experience dredging ponds and lakes throughout Upstate South Carolina. We understand what causes ponds to fill in over time and how to properly remove the buildup without damaging the pond structure.

Every pond accumulates sediment over the years as runoff carries soil and organic matter into the water and leaves and vegetation decompose on the bottom. A pond that was originally 10 feet deep might now be 5 or 6 feet, which means fish struggle to survive summer heat, vegetation takes over the shallow areas, and the pond no longer functions the way it was designed to.

We remove that accumulated material and bring the pond back to its original depth and capacity. We evaluate how much sediment has built up, determine the best approach for removal, and handle the excavation and disposal so your pond works the way it should again.

Signs Your Pond Needs Dredging

Ponds do not stay the same depth forever. Sediment accumulates gradually, and most property owners do not notice the change until the pond looks and functions noticeably different than it used to. These are the common signs that your pond has filled in and needs dredging.

Shallow Water Where It Used to Be Deep

If areas of your pond that were once over your head are now waist-deep, sediment has accumulated on the bottom. This happens slowly over years or decades, so it is easy to miss until someone who remembers the original depth points it out or you try to swim in a spot that used to be deep.

Excessive Vegetation and Algae Growth

Shallow water allows sunlight to reach the bottom, which promotes weed growth and algae blooms. If your pond has become overrun with vegetation in areas that used to be clear, the depth has likely decreased enough that plants can now root and thrive where they could not before.

Muck and Soft Bottom

A thick layer of muck on the pond bottom is decomposed organic matter that has accumulated over time. If you step into the shallows and sink into soft, smelly sediment instead of firm ground, that buildup is taking up space that used to be water.

Fish Kills or Stressed Fish

Shallow ponds heat up faster in summer and lose oxygen more quickly. If you have experienced fish kills during hot weather or notice fish gasping at the surface, reduced depth may be the underlying cause. Dredging restores the cooler, deeper water that fish need to survive summer conditions.

Reduced Water Capacity

A pond that used to hold water through dry spells but now drops significantly during summer has lost storage capacity to sediment. The pond basin is simply smaller than it used to be, and dredging is the only way to get that capacity back.

Our Dredging Process

Dredging is not a one-size-fits-all job. The approach depends on the size of the pond, how much sediment has built up, what the sediment is made of, and where the material will go after removal.

We evaluate each project individually and put together a plan that makes sense for your specific situation.

Evaluation

We start by assessing the pond to understand how much sediment has accumulated and where. This includes measuring current depth in multiple areas, comparing it to the original depth if known, and evaluating the type of material on the bottom.

Some ponds have mostly mineral sediment from runoff while others have thick organic muck from decades of decomposing vegetation. The composition affects how we approach the removal and where the material can go afterward.

Drawdown

Most dredging projects require lowering the water level or draining the pond entirely. Working in dry or low-water conditions allows us to remove sediment more efficiently and gives us access to the full pond bottom.

We coordinate the drawdown timing with you and give advance notice if you need to relocate fish.

Sediment Removal

Once the pond is drawn down, we excavate the accumulated sediment using equipment sized for the job. We remove the material down to the original pond bottom or to the depth you want to restore, working systematically across the pond basin to ensure consistent results.

Disposal and Spreading

The removed sediment has to go somewhere. In most cases, we spread it on-site in a designated area where it can dry out and eventually be incorporated into the landscape. Pond sediment is often nutrient-rich and works well for building up low areas or improving soil in fields.

If on-site disposal is not an option, we can haul the material off your property.

Final Grading

After the sediment is removed, we grade the pond bottom and edges as needed to restore the proper shape and slope. This ensures the pond fills evenly and functions correctly once water returns.

Frequently Asked Questions

If your pond has filled in with sediment over the years, you probably have questions about what dredging involves and whether it makes sense for your situation. These are the questions we hear most often.

How much does pond dredging cost?

Dredging costs depend on the size of the pond, how much sediment needs to be removed, accessibility for equipment, and where the material will be disposed. A small pond with moderate sediment buildup costs significantly less than a large pond with decades of accumulated muck.

We evaluate the pond first and give you a clear estimate based on the actual scope of work involved.

How long does dredging take?

Most dredging projects take one to three weeks depending on pond size and sediment volume. Larger ponds or ponds with extensive buildup can take longer.

Weather and soil conditions also affect the timeline. If we need to wait for removed sediment to dry before spreading it, or if rain delays equipment access, the project may take additional time.

Does the pond need to be drained?

In most cases, yes. Draining or drawing down the pond allows us to work more efficiently and remove sediment more completely. Some smaller jobs can be done with the pond partially full, but a full drawdown usually produces better results.

We let you know during the evaluation what approach makes the most sense for your pond.

What happens to the fish?

If the pond needs to be drained, you have options for the fish. You can seine them and relocate them to a temporary tank or another pond, harvest them before the drawdown, or let us know and we can work with you on timing.

We give you advance notice before draining so you have time to make arrangements.

Where does all the sediment go?

In most cases, we spread the removed sediment on your property in a designated area. Pond sediment is typically nutrient-rich and works well for building up low spots, filling in areas, or improving soil quality in fields.

If you do not have space for on-site disposal or prefer to have it removed entirely, we can haul the material off your property.

How often does a pond need to be dredged?

It depends on how much sediment enters the pond each year. Ponds with significant runoff from agricultural land or steep slopes fill in faster than ponds with stable, vegetated watersheds.

Most ponds can go 20 to 30 years or more between dredging if the original construction was good and erosion around the pond is controlled. After we dredge your pond, we can give you a sense of how quickly sediment is likely to accumulate based on what we see.

Can dredging fix a leaking pond?

Dredging removes sediment, but it does not fix structural problems with the pond itself. If your pond is leaking due to dam issues, poor soil, or other problems, dredging alone will not solve that.

In some cases, sediment buildup can actually mask a leak by sealing the bottom. Removing that material might expose underlying issues that need separate attention. We assess the overall condition of the pond during the evaluation and let you know if we see anything beyond sediment buildup.

Will dredging disturb the pond banks or dam?

We work carefully to remove sediment without damaging the pond structure. The banks and dam are left intact, and we grade the edges as needed to restore proper shape and slope.

If we notice any issues with the dam or banks during the work, we let you know so you can address them before refilling the pond.