What is the cost of river dredging ？

2026-03-13 15:41:32     Category：FAQs & Supports     Browse number：322     Release time：2026-03-13 15:41:32

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 Analysis of Cost Composition for River Dredging and Desilting Construction

"How much does dredging cost?" "how much does it cost to dredge a lake" are  questions frequently asked by Yangyang Marine's clients, especially those new to the industry, who show particular interest in the cost to dredge rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.The following is is based on Yanyang Engineering practical engineering experience for a reference of the dredging cost in China in recent years.

I . Direct Costs (accounting for approx. 70%–85%)

1. Dredging Operation Cost (Core Cost)

(1) Mechanical Dredging Equipment Costs 

(2) Labor Costs

Operators: Dredger drivers, Machinery operators (RMB 300–600/person/day).

Auxiliary Workers: On-site dredging coordinators, Loading/unloading personnel (RMB 150–300/person/day).

2. Silt Transportation and Disposal Fees

Transportation Cost Calculation Distance Factor: For every additional 10 km, the cost increases by CNY 5–10 per cubic
 meter (CNY 5–10/m³).
Transportation Mode:
Barges: CNY 5–15 per cubic meter per kilometer (CNY 5–15/m³·km)
Muck Trucks: CNY 8–20 per cubic meter per kilometer (CNY 8–20/m³·km)      



II . Indirect Costs (Accounting for Approximately 15%–30%)

Pre-Project Costs

Survey and Measurement Fees: ¥30,000–100,000 (including laser depth sounding and sludge thickness detection).

Design Fees: 2%–5% of the total project cost.

Temporary Facilities Costs: ¥50,000–500,000 (including cofferdams and diversion channels).

Management and Environmental Protection Fees

Reserved at 5%–10% of the total project cost (to address unforeseen circumstances such as adverse weather and sudden geological changes).

 III . Key Factors Affecting Costs

IV. Cost Analysis of Typical Cases

Case 1: Desilting of Small and Medium-Sized Rivers (50,000 m³)

Dredging Method: Cutter suction dredger + transport ship

Cost Breakdown:

Dredging Operation: ¥35/m³ × 50,000 m³ = ¥1,750,000

Transportation (20 km): ¥15/m³ × 50,000 m³ = ¥750,000

Stacking and Disposal: ¥10/m³ × 50,000 m³ = ¥500,000

Environmental Protection Measures: ¥200,000

Total Cost: Approximately ¥3,200,000 (¥64/m³)

Case 2: Treatment of Polluted Sludge (10,000 m³)

Treatment Process: Dewatering and drying + solidification and stabilization

Cost Breakdown:

Dredging: ¥50/m³

Dewatering: ¥80/m³

Solidifying Agent: ¥70/m³

Total Cost: Approximately ¥2,000,000 (¥200/m³)

V. Key Measures to Reduce Costs

Optimize equipment selection: Prioritize cutter suction dredgers for soft sludge and grab dredgers for hard sludge.

Prioritize on-site disposal: Shorten transportation distance and select legal stacking yards first.

Resource utilization: Process sludge into bricks or backfill soil to reduce disposal fees.

Phased construction: Avoid construction during the rainy season to reduce equipment idleness.