TURBIDITY CURTAINS
Turbidity curtains, silt curtains, silt screens, silt barriers, or turbidity barriers, as they are sometimes called, are floating barriers used in marine construction, dredging, and remediation projects to control the silt and sediment in a body of water. Elastec turbidity curtains can be set up to keep construction areas in compliance and protect the environment. Read our Frequently Asked Questions. American Marine, a division of Elastec, has been manufacturing quality turbidity curtains since 1967. We offer some models in-stock from our online store. Contact us to request turbidity curtain pricing for other models. View DOT requirements by state.
Type 1 Turbidity Curtains
Type 2 Turbidity Curtains
Type 3 Turbidity Curtains
Custom Turbidity Curtains
SiltMax Staked Barrier
Turbidity Curtain Accessories
Stillwater Screen
Type I Light Duty Turbidity Curtain
For use in inland waterways, ELASTEC Type I Stillwater Screen is specifically manufactured for turbidity control in calm conditions. Stillwater Screen is offered with impermeable and permeable options.
| Fabric: | 18 oz. Vinyl Laminated Fabric |
| Float Size: | 6, 8, 12 inch / 15, 20, 30 cm |
| Net Buoyancy: | 13, 21, 52 lb/ft / 19, 31, 77 kg/m |
| Load Components: | 5,000 lb Galv. Steel Chain |
| Ballast: | 1/4 inch / 6 mm Galv. Chain |
| Depth: | 3-30 ft / 1-9 m |
| Length: | 100 ft / 30 m |
Fastwater Screen
Type II Medium Duty Turbidity Curtain
ELASTEC Type II Fastwater Screen is a durable premium curtain for rivers, streams and lakes where moving water, winds and waves are present.
| Fabric: | 22 oz. Vinyl Coated Fabric |
| Float Size: | 8, 12 inch / 20, 30 cm |
| Net Buoyancy: | 21, 52 lb/ft / 31, 77 kg/m |
| Load Components: | 9,800 lb Galv. Steel Cable 7,600 lb Galv. Chain |
| Ballast: | 5/16 inch / 8 mm Galv. Chain |
| Depth: | 3-30 ft / 1-9 m |
| Length: | 100 ft / 30 m |
Ruffwater Screen
Type III Heavy Duty Turbidity Curtain
If the project requires a deep curtain for difficult conditions and flows, ELASTEC Type III Ruffwater Screen is the barrier of choice.
| Fabric: | 22 oz. Vinyl Coated Fabric |
| Float Size: | 12 inches / 30 cm |
| Net Buoyancy: | 52 lb/ft / 77 kg/m |
| Load Components: | Two 9,800 lb Galv. Steel Cables 10,600 Galv. Chain |
| Ballast: | 3/8 inch / 10 mm Galv. Chain |
| Depth: | 3-30 ft / 1-9 m |
| Length: | 100 ft / 30 m |
Alternate fabrics, flotation material and section lengths available upon request for all models.
SILTMAX TURBIDITY BARRIERS
ELASTEC SiltMax turbidity curtains are floating barriers designed to control sediment and runoff at construction sites. SiltMax silt curtains are designed for easy deployment and meet the requirements of the U.S. Clean Water Act (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II).
- Dredging Operations
- Marine Construction
- Remediation Projects
- Intake / Outflow Protection
- Fish Screens
- Pollution Control Curtains
Siltmax I Economy
For calm water, short duration use in canal, ponds, and reservoirs, the SiltMax Type I Economy silt curtain is compact for easy storage, very affordable, and can work with any project budget. SiltMax I Economy has an impermeable construction and works well to contain the silt and turbidity from near-shore projects.
| Fabric: | Reinforced PVC Coated Rip-Stop Fabric |
| Float Size: | 6 inch square EPS marine quality |
| Net Buoyancy: | 6 inch / 15 cm - 13 lb/ft / 19.2 kg/m |
| Load Components: | 3,000 lb Galv. Steel Chain |
| Ballast: | 0.41 lb per foot Galv. Chain |
| Depth: | 5 ft / 1.5 m (custom depths available) |
| Length: | 100 ft / 30 m or 50 ft / 15 m |
Siltmax I DOT
For use in inland waterways, the SiltMax Type I DOT Turbidity Curtain is specifically manufactured to meet and exceed U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and other regulatory requirements for silt control in Type I calm conditions. SiltMax Type I DOT is offered with impermeable and permeable options.
| Fabric: | 18 oz. Vinyl Laminated Fabric |
| Float Size: | 6 inch / 15 cm Square EPS Marine Quality |
| Net Buoyancy: | 6 inch / 15 cm - 13 lb/ft / 19.2 kg/m |
| Load Components: | 5,000 lb Galv. Steel Chain |
| Ballast: | 0.72 lb per foot Galv. Chain |
| Depth: | 5ft / 1.5 m (custom depths available) |
| Length: | 100 ft / 30 m or 50 ft / 15 m |
Siltmax II DOT
Suitable for mild currents, waves, and wind the SiltMax Type II DOT Turbidity Curtain is designed for rapid deployment, fast storage and handling. It is also appropriate for most regulated applications. SiltMax Type II DOT barrier is offered with impermeable and permeable options.
| Fabric: | 18 oz. Vinyl PVC |
| Float Size: | 6 inch / 15 cm Square EPS Marine Quality |
| Net Buoyancy: | 6 inch / 15 cm - 13 lb/ft / 19.2 kg/m |
| Load Components: | 9,800 lb Galv. Steel Cable 7,600 lb Galv. Steel Chain |
| Ballast: | 1.06 lb per foot Galv. Chain |
| Depth: | 5ft / 1.5 m (custom depths available) |
| Length: | 100 ft / 30 m or 50 ft / 15 m |
Siltmax III DOT
Suitable for use in tidal zones, rivers, and bays, SiltMax Type III DOT Turbidity Curtain is designed for rapid deployment and is engineered for medium flows. This curtain is permeable to allow water flow while retaining the silt and sediment.
| Fabric: | 18 oz. Vinyl PVC |
| Float Size: | 6 inch / 15 cm Square EPS Marine Quality |
| Net Buoyancy: | 6 inch / 15 cm - 13 lb/ft / 19.2 kg/m |
| Load Components: | 9,800 lb Galv. Steel Cable 7,600 lb Galv. Steel Chain |
| Ballast: | 5/16 inch Galv. Chain |
| Depth: | 5ft / 1.5 m (custom depths available) |
| Length: | 100 ft / 30 m or 50 ft / 15 m |
Comparative Turbidity Curtain Specification Table
| Model | Applications | Fabric | Float Size | Ballast | Depth | Section Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Staked Curtain | Shallow Water No Flow | 18 oz Reinforced PVC Coated | N/A | N/A | <3 ft <1 m | 100 ft 30 m |
| Stillwater Screen | Inland Waterways Calm Conditions | 18 oz Vinyl Laminated | 6, 8, 12 inch 15, 20, 30 cm | 1/4 inch 6 mm Galv. Chain | 3-30 ft 1-9 m | 100 ft 30 m |
| Fastwater Screen | Rivers/Streams/Lakes Moving Water, Winds and Waves | 22 oz Vinyl Coated | 8, 12 inch 20, 30 cm | 5/16 inch 8 mm Galv. Chain | 3-30 ft 1-9 m | 100 ft 30 m |
| Ruffwater Screen | Rivers/Streams/Lakes Deep Water with Difficult Conditions | 22 oz Vinyl Coated | 12 inch 30 cm | 3/8 inch 10 mm Galv. Chain | 3-30 ft 1-9 m | 100 ft 30 m |
| Siltmax I Economy | Calm Water Canals Ponds/Reservoirs Short Term Installation | 18 oz Reinforced PVC Coated | 6 inch 15 cm Square EPS Marine Quality | 3/16 inch 5 mm Galv. Chain | 5 ft 1.5 m (custom available) | 50, 100 ft 15, 30 m |
| Siltmax I DOT | Inland Waterways Calm Conditions | 18 oz Vinyl Laminated | 6 inch 15 cm Square EPS Marine Quality | 1/4 inch 6 mm Galv. Chain | 5 ft 1.5 m (custom available) | 50, 100 ft 15, 30 m |
| Siltmax II DOT | Mild Currents, Waves and Wind Rapid Deployment and Storage | 18 oz Vinyl PVC | 6 inch 15 cm Square EPS Marine Quality | 5/16 inch 8 mm Galv. Chain | 5 ft 1.5 m (custom available) | 50, 100 ft 15, 30 m |
| Siltmax III DOT | Tidal Zones, Rivers and Bays Rapid Deployment and Medium Flows | 18 oz Vinyl PVC | 6 inch 15 cm Square EPS Marine Quality | 5/16 inch 8 mm Galv. Chain | 5 ft 1.5 m (custom available) | 50, 100 ft 15, 30 m |
Curtain Options
Elastec curtains can be provided with multiple options. Please contact us for further specifications.
Filter Cloth
Reefing System
Filter Cloth and Reefing System
Custom Barriers
PermaFence Netboom
PermaFence Screen
PermaFence Screen with Filter Cloth
Soft Top Netboom
Custom Optimax Curtain
Custom Optimax Screen
Clean Water Act and National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
The implementation of the Clean Water Act and Phase II of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) has led to major changes in operating procedures for the industrial sector. According to the NPDES, sediment and debris from sites require MS4 operators to develop and implement a stormwater management program to reduce the discharge of pollutants in discharges from the MS4 to the maximum extent practicable, and to meet other permit requirements as determined appropriate by the permitting authority.
The implementation of the Clean Water Act and Phase II of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) has led to major changes in operating procedures for the industrial sector. According to the NPDES, sediment and debris from sites require MS4 operators to develop and implement a stormwater management program to reduce the discharge of pollutants in discharges from the MS4 to the maximum extent practicable, and to meet other permit requirements as determined appropriate by the permitting authority.
Requirements for suspended particulates/turbidity
According to the NPDES, “Suspended particulates in the aquatic ecosystem consist of fine-grained mineral particles, usually smaller than silt, and organic particles. Suspended particulates may enter water bodies as a result of land runoff, flooding, vegetative and planktonic breakdown, resuspension of bottom sediments, and man’s activities including dredging and filling. Particulates may remain suspended in the water column for variable periods of time as a result of such factors as agitation of the water mass, particulate specific gravity, particle shape, and physical and chemical properties of particle surfaces.” To control these particulates, the NPDES recommends using silt screens or other appropriate methods to confine suspended particulate/turbidity to a small area where settling or removal can occur.
Together, the Clean Water Act and NPDES have encouraged major product development by Elastec in order to keep up with our customers’ needs and allow them to remain in compliance with these regulations. View DOT requirements by state.
Elastec Type III Turbidity Curtain used near Golden Gate Bridge
Elastec Type III Ruffwater Screen was installed near the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, CA. as part of the Crissy Field Drainage Improvement Project. Duane Bennish and Bill Andrus of the Cocoa branch were on site to help with the installation. Learn more about the project.
TURBIDITY CURTAIN QUESTIONNAIRE
In order that we may recommend the best Turbidity Curtain for your project, please provide the following information. We have included some questions that will help us better understand your needs. Please answer as many as possible. If the flow rate is high, Elastec can provide modeling data to determine anchor spacing and feasibility of systems.
Turbidity Curtain Frequently Asked Questions
Are turbidity curtains in stock and ready to ship?
We offer some models of turbidity curtains in-stock from our online store. Account for lead times of a few weeks to produce other models of curtains in the factory. Most curtains will be custom and not off the shelf.
How much curtain do I need for my project?
Account for the anchor rodes. Best anchorage for turbidity curtains is a 5:1 slope. In 10′ of water you will have 50′ of anchor lines on one or both side of the curtain. Possibly into the work area.
How important are water conditions?
Water conditions (wind, wave height, flow rate) are important to ensuring proper anchorage is being used. Account for pull from intake structures, ice, debris, and wake from vessels.
How are deeper curtains affected by tidal flow?
The deeper the curtain, the calmer the conditions need to be. A curtain 30′ deep in 2 knot tidal flow will only have an effective depth of 13′ and will be difficult to keep in place even with heavy anchoring.
How deep should my curtain be?
Curtains should not touch the bottom. Flow of water is not going to be stopped by a fabric curtain. You cannot sand bag or add additional weight to the bottom of the curtain to keep it down. This will tear the curtain. Also, in calm situations, sediment can build up on the curtain making it impossible to retreive when the work is finished. Curtains will perform better the more parallel they are to the flow.