Austin DNTheisen MSLand and Water2010-02-152010-02-152001http://hdl.handle.net/1969.3/2320255-58The Port of Houston Authority and the US Army Corps of Engineers is conducting feasibility and environmental impact studies to widen and deepen the Houston Ship Channel in Galveston Bay, Texas, USA. The 83 km (52 ml) long Houston Ship Channel is proposed to be enlarged from 12 m (39.4 ft) deep by 122 m (400 ft) wide to 13.7 m (44.9 ft) deep by 161 m (528 ft) wide. This effort will result in over 68 million m super(3) (81 million yd super(3)) of new work dredging and 145 million m super(3) (190 million yd super(3)) of maintenance work dredging during the project's 50 year life. Identifying economical and environmentally acceptable methods for disposal of these dredged materials presented very difficult challenges. Although one of the most common uses, beach nourishment was not a possible beneficial use of the dredged materials on this project due to improper grain size. Fortunately, the project engineers recognized the mutually beneficial use of geosynthetic erosion control materialsCase StudiesChannel ImprovementDredgingEconomic AspectsEnvironmental EffectsErosion ControlLeveesNavigationSpoil BanksSW 3050 Ultimate disposal of wastesUSA,Texas,HoustonWaste DisposalJournal