Water-Inflated Cofferdam: Zenviron’s Solution for Wetland Construction
What you need to know: A water-inflated cofferdam is a temporary flexible barrier filled with water and used to create a dry work environment in areas surrounded by water such as wetlands, rivers, lakes or coastal regions.
Zenviron Pty, a leading BOP contractor specializing in renewable energy projects across Australia and New Zealand, embraced cutting-edge solutions for a challenging wetland construction project.
To tackle the task of installing a high-voltage cable in a waterlogged area, they turned to an innovative water-inflated cofferdam.
The Challenge: Creating a Dry Work Area in a Wetland
During the construction of a wind farm, Zenviron needed to bury a high-voltage cable in a wetland.
The area was naturally waterlogged making traditional trenching methods impractical.
They needed a solution that would quickly and effectively create a dry work area without causing harm to the delicate wetland ecosystem.
The Solution: A 110-Meter Water-Inflated Cofferdam
After evaluating several options, Zenviron chose the NoFloods PRO Barrier, a water-filled cofferdam, for the project.
This innovative solution enabled them to create a temporary dry workspace by isolating part of the lake and wetlands.
The cofferdam was installed in a single straight line spanning 110 meters (330 feet).
The deployment was quick and efficient.
Here’s a step-by-step walk-through of how they accomplished this:
Day 1: Three workers deployed the 110-meter cofferdam in just four minutes and the tubes were fully filled with water within 2.5 hours.
Day 2: Water was pumped out of the isolated work area in five hours, creating a dry workspace.
Day 3: Trenching began for the high-voltage cable in the created dry workspace.
Here’s a video showing how it all happened, step by step.
The Results: Time and Resource Savings
Zenviron’s use of the water-inflated cofferdam proved to be a game-changer, significantly reducing both labour and material costs compared to traditional dewatering methods.
- Rapid Deployment: With just three workers, the 110-meter cofferdam was set up and filled with water in a matter of hours, eliminating the need for heavy machinery or extensive groundwork.
- Minimal Environmental Impact: Unlike conventional solutions that involve extensive excavation or temporary earthworks, the cofferdam preserved the wetland’s natural state, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.
- Efficient Workflow: By quickly creating a dry work area, the team was able to begin trenching without delays, keeping the project on schedule and avoiding costly downtime.
- Fast Project Completion: From deployment to reinstatement, the entire operation was completed in under five days – far faster than alternative methods would have allowed.
The ease of deployment and overall efficiency exceeded expectations, allowing Zenviron to complete the project on time, within budget and with minimal disruption to the surrounding ecosystem.
Why Choose a Water-Filled Cofferdam?
Water-filled cofferdams offer a sustainable, reusable and cost-effective alternative to traditional cofferdams and water management methods, such as sandbags or earthen dams.
- Environmentally Friendly & Reusable
Unlike sandbags, which generate significant waste and require disposal after use, water-inflated cofferdams can be drained, stored and reused multiple times.
This reduces both environmental impact and long-term costs.
- Rapid Deployment & Easy Removal
Time is critical in flood prevention and construction projects.
Water-filled cofferdams can be quickly installed by a small team using locally available water for filling.
Once the job is complete, the water is drained back into the environment and the dam is removed with minimal effort.
- Superior Flood Protection & Stability
These cofferdams form a tight seal against uneven surfaces, preventing water seepage more effectively than sandbags or rigid barriers.
Their weight and flexibility allow them to remain stable even in strong currents, making them ideal for flood control, bridge repairs and shoreline protection.
- Cost-Effective Solution
Since they are reusable and require less manpower and heavy equipment for installation and removal, water-filled cofferdams help reduce overall project costs.
Their efficiency and durability make them a smart investment for long-term flood mitigation and construction site dewatering.
- Versatile for Various Applications
Whether you’re protecting critical infrastructure, securing a construction site, or managing water levels for dam repairs, water-inflated cofferdams provide a customizable and scalable solution that adapts to different terrains and water conditions.
Additional Applications of Our NoFloods Barriers
The NoFloods Barrier are versatile and can be used in various applications, including:
- Flood protection
- Construction in wetlands
- River diversion
- Culverting
- Cable and pipeline works
- Boat ramp construction
These barriers have been deployed worldwide, including in the USA, France, Germany, Australia, and more than a dozen other countries, proving their effectiveness in diverse scenarios.
Want to learn more about how our water-inflated cofferdam can support your project? Get in touch with us today!
