Waterways · sediment control · aquatic weeds

Silt curtains
& weed booms.

Floating barriers selected around the waterway.

Control sediment dispersion during in-water works or contain floating aquatic weeds for targeted management. Kontain can help define the configuration and supply requirements for your site.

Explore the range Installation guide & technical data

Example weed boom containing floating aquatic weeds in a pond — Weed boom application · example installation from the Kontain brochure

Technical resources · 3 files

Key documents

Download the Kontain silt curtain installation and maintenance guide, plus the weed boom technical data sheet and brochure. Confirm the curtain specification and anchorage against the waterway conditions.

Installation and maintenance guideKontain Silt Curtain Guide

Anchoring, deployment, inspections, maintenance, recovery and storage, with site-specific selection requirements.

KON-SC-IG-01 · Rev 1 · 11 October 2026 · 4 pagesDownload PDF ↓Technical data sheetKontain Weed Boom · PVC & XR-5®

20 m configuration, component schedule, material reference data and selection qualifications.

KON-WB-TDS-01 · Issue 1 · 17 September 2026 · 2 pagesDownload PDF ↓Product brochureKontain Weed Boom

Aquatic weed containment, example installations and PVC and XR-5® material options.

KON-WB-BRO-01 · Issue 1 · 17 September 2026 · 1 pageDownload PDF ↓

Choose by application

Sediment control and weed containment.

Sediment & turbidity

Silt curtains

Silt curtains, also called turbidity curtains, help limit the spread of suspended sediment and provide a controlled area for settling during dredging, piling, bank works and waterway maintenance.

Skirt depth, flotation, ballast and anchorage are selected for water depth, currents, waves and water-level changes. A curtain is not a watertight dam; its effectiveness depends on the sediment and site conditions.

Installation guidance available

Use the Kontain guide for deployment, inspection and recovery planning. Skirt depth, assembly details and anchorage still need a project-specific specification.

Enquire about silt curtains

Floating aquatic weeds

Weed booms

Connectable floating barriers help contain aquatic weeds and limit plant migration in ponds, lakes, rivers, canals and stormwater channels.

The current Kontain configuration uses a knitted HDPE mesh skirt with a choice of PVC or XR-5® float-chamber material. Temporary or permanent deployment requires a site-specific material and anchorage review.

20 mconnectable sections

300 mmmesh skirt depth

Compare the weed boom options

The weed boom’s open mesh is intended for floating weed containment. Select a silt curtain separately where suspended-sediment control is required.

Silt curtain installation and maintenance

Anchor first. Deploy with the skirt furled.

Plan the layout around tides, currents, waves, water depth and vessel access. Use these steps with the supplied assembly details and the project installation plan.

Before launch

Anchorage and layout

Install the anchors, marker buoys and rigging before putting the curtain in the water. Size and space the anchors for the hydraulic loads; supplier sketch dimensions are not a universal design.

Floating buoys help manage anchoring forces. Where ebb and flow tides reverse the load direction, the source guide recommends anchoring on both sides. Avoid attaching the curtain directly to pilings or bed-driven poles.

Consider maze, open, closed onshore or closed offshore arrangements. A closed layout using a suitable shore boundary can reduce sediment bypass around the ends.

Launch and positioning

Deploy the curtain

Keep the skirt furled during launch and towing. Secure the curtain to the anchoring system and check that the skirt is not twisted around the float chamber before releasing the ties.

The source guide gives a maximum towing speed of 2 to 3 knots for its furled curtains. Confirm the limit for the supplied assembly and reduce speed to suit the site.

Furl the skirt before repositioning. Moving a curtain with its skirt deployed places excessive load on the system.

During operation

Inspect and maintain

Agree the inspection schedule before deployment. Check alignment, tears, entanglement, anchor-line wear, float chambers, connectors, zips and any required marker lights.

Keep the skirt free from burial in sand or deposited mud. Remove trapped refuse and marine growth. A surface check cannot establish the condition of the full skirt; arrange underwater inspection where needed.

Record observations, repairs and photographs. Consider a compatible spare section to reduce downtime if a panel is damaged.

After the works

Recover and store

Stop the protected marine works and check that no sediment plume is present before recovery. Follow the project environmental release requirements.

Maintain control while disconnecting and furling the curtain, then recover the moorings and tow it back with the skirt furled.

Confirm a suitable cleaning method, inspect the assembly and dry it before packing for storage. Reuse depends on its condition and the next project’s requirements.

The guide covers silt curtains. Weed booms may use similar anchoring points, but their installation details and suitability need separate confirmation. The guide provides general information and does not certify an anchorage design.

Download the silt curtain installation and maintenance guide

Kontain Weed Boom

PVC and XR-5® options.

Construction below follows the 20 m configuration in the current Kontain TDS, Issue 1, dated 17 September 2026.

Weed boom component schedule
Component	PVC option	XR-5® option
Section length	20 m; connectable	20 m; connectable
Skirt	300 mm deep; 430 g/m² yellow knitted HDPE mesh	300 mm deep; 430 g/m² yellow knitted HDPE mesh
Float chamber	610 g/m² high-visibility yellow PVC	1,020 g/m² black XR-5® reinforced EIA
Flotation	Closed-cell polyethylene foam	Closed-cell polyethylene foam
Ballast	6 mm galvanised chain in a PVC pocket	6 mm galvanised chain in an XR-5® pocket
Connections	Aluminium Z-connectors and marine YKK10 skirt zipper	Aluminium Z-connectors and marine YKK10 skirt zipper
Handling	Handles at 1.5 m centres; 50 mm webbing above and below floats	Handles at 1.5 m centres; 50 mm webbing above and below floats
Anchoring points	316 stainless steel eye nut at water level, single side	316 stainless steel eye nut at water level, single side

Example yellow weed boom enclosing floating vegetation beside a pond bank — Example floating weed enclosure.

Confirm before fabrication

Float profile and freeboard: the TDS records both a 100 × 100 mm standard float and a 140 mm diameter offered profile. Confirm the selected assembly.
UV exposure: the PVC information contains different quoted periods, so confirm the selected grade and period. XR-5® is quoted at up to 10 years. These are float-chamber material statements, not whole-boom service-life guarantees or workmanship warranties.
XR-5® grade: XR-5® is Seaman Corporation’s fabric-reinforced ethylene interpolymer alloy (EIA). The TDS includes 8130 reference properties; the exact grade still needs confirmation.

Standard 15 m sections, tidal risers, anchor packages and custom dimensions are also available by confirmation. Check the complete assembly against water chemistry, temperature and exposure.

Download the full technical data sheet

Prepare a project enquiry

Start with the waterway and the task.

Send a marked-up plan or site photographs with the following information so we can review the product and supply scope.

ApplicationSediment control or aquatic weed containment, location and required deployment period.
GeometryBarrier alignment, total length, water depth and water-level variation.
ExposureCurrent, waves, wind, vessel movement, water chemistry and temperature.
Site accessShore connections, anchoring constraints, installation access, inspection and maintenance arrangements.

Project supply

Send the layout and site conditions.

Discuss your project Email Ben directly

Silt curtains& weed booms.