Apparatus for Removing a Layer of Sediment Which Has Settled on the Bottom of a Large Water Body

A method of removing a layer of sediment which has settled on a bottom of a large body of water, the method comprising, providing an apparatus that comprises, a structural frame configured to contain a bottom water flow and avoid a re-suspension of sediment outside a vicinity of the structural frame, said structural frame configured to contain liquid and suspended particles dispersed during removal of bottom sediment in a suctioning area that is at least 3 square feet, said structural frame having at least 4 wheels configured to facilitate conveyance across the bottom of the large water body when the structural frame is submerged in the large water body;

• said structural frame operably connecting to at least one suction line that is at least about 8 feet in length and has a diameter of at least about 2 inches and configured to conduct a suctioned bottom water flow through said suction line;
• said structural frame having one or more sections that direct silt laden water to an at least one sediment removing vacuum unit;
• suctioning sediment-containing water from the bottom of the large body of water using the apparatus;
• and filtering the suctioned bottom water outside of the large body of water through a filter that is permeable to water to trap debris.

A method of removing a layer of sediment which has settled on a bottom of a large body of water, the method comprising, providing an apparatus that comprises, a structural frame configured to contain a bottom water flow and avoid a re-suspension of sediment outside a vicinity of the structural frame, said structural frame configured to contain liquid and suspended particles dispersed during removal of bottom sediment in a suctioning area that is at least 3 square feet, said structural frame having at least 4 wheels configured to facilitate conveyance across the bottom of the large water body when the structural frame is submerged in the large water body;

• said structural frame operably connecting to at least one suction line that is at least about 8 feet in length and has a diameter of at least about 2 inches and configured to conduct a suctioned bottom water flow through said suction line;
• said structural frame having one or more sections that direct silt laden water to an at least one sediment removing vacuum unit;
• wherein said at least one sediment removing vacuum unit comprises at least one pump configured to pump water at a rate of at least 4000 gph;
• suctioning sediment-containing water from the bottom of the large body of water using the apparatus;
• and filtering the suctioned bottom water outside of the large body of water through a filter that is permeable to water to trap debris.