In order to safeguard the fish habitat along a side channel of the Eel River in Redcrest, California, a trench needed to be excavated through 200 feet of dry gravel bar and 100 feet out into the river. To contain the work area, three 1-foot tall, 2-foot wide, 100-foot single closed end (SCE) AquaDams were strategically placed in a horseshoe/U-shape configuration extending into the wide and shallow Eel River. Take note of the turbid (brown) water contained within the AquaDam cofferdam system, which serves to protect the surrounding environment during the construction process.

A trench needed to be dug out into the middle of the river so that an adequate flow of water could reach the side channel. To isolate the work area, the AquaDams extended far out into the shallow, flowing river. The 300ft of AquaDams took approximately 2hrs to install, using the river water and water pumps.

To get the needed flow, a large mouth had to be excavated in the end of the trench. The dirty water caused by the excavation was totally isolated from the river, by the AquaDams.

AquaDams can be turned to form virtually any configuration. These AquaDams has been installed in a horseshoe or "U" shape configuration. AquaDams can be adjusted during installation in multiple ways. One method involves slowing down or stopping the pump connected to the fill-tube on the inside of the turn. Another option is to pull on one side of the beam around which the AquaDam is rolled or the roll itself. These AquaDams were likely turned by hand, since they are relatively small and light weight.

A view of the other end of the trench, where it intersects the side of the river where there is a large fish population. Upstream, the river will need to be blocked off for construction purposes. This will isolate over a mile of river bar, allowing it to dry up. A trench was dug to supply this stretch of with the needed water.