Sediment control practices - Diversion barrier controls (cofferdams/temporary dikes)
Sediment control practices - Diversion barrier controls (cofferdams/temporary dikes)

Example of temporary barrier application. Source: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

Cofferdams and small dikes are temporary barriers or dams used to stop or redirect the flow of water from a construction site work area, such as a support column foundation, a shoreline retaining wall location, a trench crossing at a stream or river, or other area adjacent to or within a body of water.

Purpose and function

Temporary diversion barrier controls (e.g. cofferdams) allow for “working in the dry” when construction projects are adjacent to or within surface waters. They prevent water from entering work zones on or near waterbodies, such as where excavation, concrete pouring, drilling, or other tasks are being conducted. They function by holding back water and creating a relatively dry area for construction activities. Diversion barrier controls include water exclusion enclosures adjacent to banks, within a river or lake, or water exclusion areas along stream reaches that have been dewatered by damming the upstream channel and creating a bypass ditch or pipe to deliver the diverted flow downstream beyond the work area (e.g., pipe trench location). Diversion barrier controls also prevent work zone sediment from entering the waterbody.

Caution: To the extent feasible, erosion prevention practices such as stabilization are preferred to sediment control practices.

Applicability

Diversion barrier controls are appropriate for work zones that require dewatering and water exclusion during the construction period. Cofferdams and temporary dikes are almost always removed after work is completed. Floating silt curtains may be used during the installation or use of diversion barrier controls to minimize turbid conditions in the waterbody.

Site applicability

Temporary diversion barrier controls such as cofferdams and smaller dikes or barriers are very site specific. The type and configuration of a barrier is driven by the height and resulting pressure of water to be excluded, the underwater conditions (i.e., soil, rock, etc.), the length of the barrier, the length of time and season of use, and other criteria. Where temporary dewatering and water exclusion can be accomplished, diversion barrier controls provide a means to complete work at underwater locations. Sheet pile cofferdams are often used for larger projects, such as bridge piers. Smaller, easily constructed barriers made of wood, earthen berms, Jersey wall sections, water-filled tubes, sandbags, and other materials can be used for smaller projects. Portable fabric dams can also be used to exclude water while preventing downstream siltation from eroding earthen dams.

Permit applicability

Permittees must establish sediment control BMPs on all downgradient perimeters of the site and downgradient areas of the site that drain to any surface water. Diversion barrier controls keep water out of the work zone and sediment out of the waterbody. A floating silt curtain placed in the water is not a sediment control BMP to satisfy item 9.2 except when working on a shoreline or below the waterline. Immediately after the short term construction activity (e.g., installation of rip rap along the shoreline) in that area is complete, permittees must install an upland perimeter control practice if exposed soils still drain to a surface water.

Effectiveness

Properly designed and installed cofferdams and other barriers are effective at keeping sediment out of the adjacent waterbody (see table below). Where cofferdams and temporary drainage ditches/channels are used to dewater or divert a stream, river, lake, or other area, special attention is required to ensure that bare soil along the bypass ditch or channel is stabilized. Methods can include lining a small temporary stream bypass channel with plastic, where necessary, or using geotextile to cover exposed bare areas. Careful installation and removal of the barrier and restoration of the work area is required to ensure effectiveness.

Expected performance for temporary diversion barrier controls
Link to this table

Water Quantity
Flow attenuation	Little or no design benefit
Runoff volume reduction	Little or no design benefit
Water Quantity
Pollution prevention
Soil erosion	Little or no design benefit
Sediment control	Primary design benefit
Nutrient loading	Secondary design benefit
Pollutant removal
Total suspended solids	Primary design benefit
Total phosphorus	Secondary design benefit
Heavy metals	Secondary design benefit
Floatables	Little or no design benefit
Oil and grease	Little or no design benefit

Planning considerations

Temporary diversion barrier control location is typically driven by engineering and operational staging considerations for the overall project (e.g., location of bridge support piers, lakeside armoring, sewer line route, etc.). Whenever possible, install and use temporary barriers during periods of low flow and warmer weather for greater efficiency and effectiveness. Winter and early spring may pose a greater risk of damage to diversions due to ice pressure and ice breakup. Components and materials are selected based on water height/hydraulic pressure, site conditions, longevity requirements, and other relevant factors. Temporary diversion barrier controls should be sited, constructed, and operated so as to cause minimal disruption to the aquatic environment, especially during fish spawning. Note that these projects usually need state, federal, or local permits. For example, placement of cofferdams in regulated waterbodies requires permit coverage from the US Army Corps of Engineers under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, and a Water Quality Certification from MPCA.

Design and construction

Sediment bag. Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Example installation of a water inflated portable cofferdam for a dewatering project. Photo courtesy of Hydrological Solutions Inc.

Small barriers (i.e., less than 2 to 3 feet high) can be installed by field personnel based on standard designs and industry practice. Larger barriers require site specific engineering analysis. Design parameters for cofferdams and other water exclusion barriers incorporate the planning considerations noted above, along with safety concerns regarding stability, the power of flowing water at stream and river locations and other water related safety issues. Other design considerations include the following.

Mobilization areas for temporary diversion barrier placement or construction should be kept as small as possible to facilitate erosion and sediment control and should be protected with downgradient sediment barriers.
Placement activities should minimize vegetation removal and disturbance of adjacent areas to the maximum extent practicable.
Where possible, use barrier controls constructed without earth fill. Acceptable cofferdam materials include sand bags, sand totes, Jersey wall sections, collapsible fabric membrane dams, Aqua-Barrier®, Portadam, water filled bags/tubes, sheet piling, plastic wrapped hay bales/soil/aggregate/riprap, plastic sealed plywood, plastic sealed trench box lids, or other suitable materials.
Suggested materials for temporary barriers in shallow water (up to 3 feet) include
- sandbags,
- plywood barriers,
- median barriers,
- Jersey wall sections,
- water-filled bags or tubes (aqua tubes), and
- collapsible portable fabric membrane.
For temporary barriers in medium depth water (3 to 6 feet), suggested materials include
- large sand totes,
- collapsible portable fabric membrane,
- proprietary products such as Portadam, and
- riprap with weighted silt curtain or plastic barrier.
For temporary barriers in deep water (more than 6 feet), suggested materials include
- sheet piling, and
- other structural steel or concrete materials.
Earth fill barriers require stabilization to prevent erosion as bare soils come into contact with flowing water. Stabilization can often be achieved by covering bare areas with well-secured plastic sheeting.
Sheet pile or collapsible fabric dams should be considered in sensitive areas where disturbance from the installation and removal of the cofferdams must be minimized. Examples includes waters that are used by fish for spawning or waters containing fish species sensitive to sediment concentrations in water.
Ensure that barrier structures are of sufficient height to prevent waves or overflows from flooding the enclosed work area.
For dewatering a stream reach, install barriers at upstream and downstream locations. If used, stabilize the bypass trench/channel with plastic sheeting, rock, or other liner material to prevent turbidity downstream.
Dewatering of the enclosure typically requires sediment removal to ensure that turbid water is not discharged into nearby waterbodies. Prior to discharge to a Water of the State, sediment-laden water is required to be treated with an appropriate BMP such as
- sediment pond or bags,
- flocculants,
- portable treatment unit, and
- sand filters
If stored onsite, material excavated from the mobilization site, the enclosure, or removed from the discharge water should be placed in stockpiles protected with erosion and sediment control measures, such as plastic sheeting or tarpaulin covers, downgradient sediment barriers, temporary mulch and seed, or other measures.
Upon completion of work in the barrier area, demobilization and backfilling should occur with minimal additional soil disturbance and in a manner that minimizes turbidity in the nearby waterbody. Backfilling with hydraulic dredge or via slurry application should be avoided if possible.

Example cofferdam cross section

Standards and specifications

Detailed guidance on planning and executing projects within and adjacent to waterbodies can be found in Chapter 3 of the Minnesota DNR’s Best Practices Manual: Best Practices for Meeting DNR General Public Waters Work Permit GP 2004-0001 – Methods for In-Water Construction. In addition, MnDOT Specification 2451.3.A.3.a (Cofferdams; page 282) provides guidance for cofferdam placement and removal.

Inspection and maintenance

Due to the proximity to regulated waters, temporary diversion barriers require continuous observation and inspection throughout mobilization, installation, and deconstruction to ensure minimal impacts on nearby waterbodies. Key inspection guidance includes the following.

Ensure that disturbed areas where mobilization and barrier installation occurs are protected with erosion prevention and sediment control measures. Inspect them weekly to ensure they are performing acceptably.
Waters adjacent to the barrier structures should be inspected for turbidity on a continuous basis. Excessive turbidity should be addressed and eliminated to the extent possible. If the source of turbidity cannot be eliminated or mitigated, the use of floating turbidity curtains or other barrier is recommended.
Dewatering intakes, transmission pipes/hoses, discharge areas, and treatment facilities for the discharge also require continuous monitoring and inspection to ensure that intake filters (if used) are serviced, pipes/hoses do not leak and discharge turbid water, and treatment facilities (e.g., filter bag, sediment trap/basin, etc.) are functioning properly.

Maintenance for temporary diversion barriers includes responding to the inspection and monitoring findings listed in the preceding subsection. Particular concerns include turbidity in the adjacent waterbody, erosion and sediment runoff from staging/mobilization areas, and performance of the BMP(s) responsible for sediment removal at the dewatering discharge location. In general, find and eliminate sources of turbidity, or use floating silt curtains to prevent turbid waters from migrating away from the immediate construction area. Clear sediment and debris from dewatering pump intake screens and filters as needed. Clean discharge area filters (e.g., filter fabric, silt fencing, etc.) and remove accumulated sediment before it restricts or consumes half of the effective treatment volume or storage capacity. Replace or clean filter bags as needed.

The following provide examples of maintenance items to inspect (Toronto and Region Conservation Authority).

Ensure that the cofferdam or barrier is effectively isolating the work area.
Ensure that an impermeable liner has been used in the construction of the barrier.
Check for any leaks, particularly at the bottom and sides (streambanks) of the dam.
Construction practices should prevent tearing of sand bags and release of material into the stream.
Leaks should be addressed by constructing a second barrier to contain the leak.

Costs

The following table summarizes estimated BMP costs based on MnDOT data summarizing average bid prices for awarded projects in 2014.

Average bid prices for Specification Year 2014. Source: MnDOT
Link to this table

Bid Item	Item Description	Units¹	Average Price
2105.601/00045	Temporary Stream Diversion System	LS	$26,292.50
2452.601/00011	Steel Sheet Piling (Temporary)	LS	$107,614.29
2452.618/00011	Steel Sheet Piling (Temporary)	SF	$16.75
2573.504/00010	Sandbag Barrier	SF	$10.55
2105.601/00010	Dewatering	LS	$65,587.94

¹LS = lump sum; SF = square foot

Reference materials

Except where more stringent requirements are presented in this guidance, cofferdams (temporary dikes) shall comply with MnDOT and other state requirements. Primary design references include:

The following is a list of additional resources that are not specific to Minnesota:

Related pages

Stabilization practices

Sediment control practices - Diversion barrier controls (cofferdams/temporary dikes) Sediment control practices - Diversion barrier controls (cofferdams/temporary dikes)

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