Turbidity Curtains
Our floating turbidity curtains help control the movement of suspended sediment around suitable in-water works. We supply and install the curtain, flotation, ballast and anchoring arrangement for the water depth and site conditions.
CONFIGURATION CAPABILITIES
Depths available up to 20 metres
Modular sectional construction
Rapid deployment handles at intervals
Custom lengths and depths available
Optional external floats for harsh environments
Standard manufactured sections are typically 20 m lengths, configurable to site requirements.
ENGINEERED PERFORMANCE CLASSIFICATIONS
Our Silt Curtian systems are supplied in internationally recognised design classes matched to hydrodynamic conditions:
| Class | Risk Level | Conditions | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Low | Calm water | Ponds, lagoons, canals |
| Class 2 | Medium | Moderate flow | Rivers, harbours |
| Class 3 | High | Strong forces | Open sea, tidal zones |
| Heavy Duty | Extreme | Long-term harsh conditions | Offshore / marine works |
CORE ENGINEERING SPECIFICATIONS
The GS Silt Curtain is engineered as a specification-grade turbidity barrier system for civil, marine, mining and environmental projects across Africa.
Our Silt Curtain systems are built using marine-grade components designed for long-term reliability:
Floatation System
Closed-cell polyethylene foam
Oil-resistant and crumble-resistant
Float sizes from 50 mm to 200 mm depending on class
Float Chamber Fabric
400 gsm, 600 gsm or 900 gsm UV-stabilised PVC
Temperature range −30°C to +70°C
Self-extinguishing fire-retardant properties
Skirt Material
260 gsm nonwoven geotextile
90-micron pore size
Flow rate >160 L/m²/sec
Structural Reinforcement
Polyester tensile webbing (1-2 tonne rating)
Stainless steel hardware
Aluminium ASTM F962 Z-connectors
Ballast System
Continuous galvanised chain ballast in PVC pocket
GS Silt Curtain Specification Table by Class
| Specification | Class 1 | Class 2 | Class 3 | Heavy Duty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Risk Level | Low | Medium | High | Extreme |
| Typical Conditions | Calm water | Moderate flow | Strong currents | Harsh marine |
| Float Size | 100×50 mm | 100×100 or 150×150 mm | 150×150 mm | Engineered |
| Float Diameter | ~50 mm | 140-210 mm | ~210 mm | Custom |
| Skirt Fabric | 260 gsm nonwoven | 260 gsm nonwoven | 260 gsm nonwoven | Project-specific |
| PVC Float Chamber | 400 gsm | 400-610 gsm | 900 gsm | Engineered |
| UV Resistance | Standard | Medium | 5-year | Custom |
| Reinforcement Webbing | Optional 25 mm (1T) | 50 mm (2T) | 3× 50 mm (2T) | Engineered |
| Ballast Chain | 6 mm | 6 mm | 8 mm | Engineered |
| Connectors | Bowshackle | ASTM Z-connector | ASTM Z-connector | Custom |
| Deployment | Short-term | Medium duration | Long duration | Long-term |
| Max Depth Capability | ≤6 m typical | ≤12 m | ≤20 m | Project-specific |
Curtain Class Selection by Water Conditions & Depth
| Water Environment | Skirt Depth | Class 1 | Class 2 | Class 3 | Heavy Duty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Still Water | 1-2m | ✓ | |||
| Still Water | 2-6m | ✓ | |||
| Still Water | 6-12m | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Still Water | >12m | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| River / Port | 1-2m | ✓ | |||
| River / Port | 2-6m | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| River / Port | 6-12m | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| River / Port | >12m | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Harbour | 1-2m | ✓ | |||
| Harbour | 2-6m | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Harbour | 6-12m | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Harbour | >12m | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Open Ocean | 1-2m | ✓ | |||
| Open Ocean | 2-6m | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Open Ocean | 6-12m | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Open Ocean | >12m | ✓ | ✓ |
Applications and uses
We supply and install this product for:
- Control of suspended sediment migration around suitable in-water construction work areas.
- Sediment-management measures in sheltered river, dam and coastal conditions.
Why choose Turbidity Curtains?
- Floating sediment-control systems
- Curtain and anchoring packages
- Supply and site installation
Installation and technical guidance
Design and procurement inputs
Select curtain class, skirt depth, flotation, ballast and anchoring for depth, current, waves, water-level change and access. Curtains are not dams and must not obstruct flood conveyance or navigation.
Provide the product grade or performance specification, drawings or BOQ, quantities, site location and required date. We will define supply, delivery and any agreed installation and QA/QC responsibilities in the quotation.
Request a product-specific quotation →Installation and QA/QC
Retain material and fabrication records, inspect deployment and connections, and agree operating inspections and acceptance criteria.
Use the current supplied-product procedure and the approved project inspection plan. Define responsibilities and acceptance criteria before installation.
Engineering Selection Rule
Curtain configuration must always be selected using project-specific hydraulic data. Selection tables are preliminary guidance tools only and final design should be confirmed by engineering assessment.
SELECTION · SPECIFICATION · PROJECT SUPPLY
Choose the right specification
Choose the system around the solids, water conditions, containment duty and available working space.
- For dewatering, provide slurry characteristics, flow and required filtrate quality; representative trials may be needed.
- For curtains or containment articles, define flow, depth, exposure, geometry and anchorage or filling conditions.
- Confirm fabric, dimensions, seams, connections, handling and operating limits for the actual system.
Define the quality records
Retain material and fabrication records, inspect deployment and connections, and agree operating inspections and acceptance criteria.
For a useful quotation: send the grade or performance specification, quantity, location, required date and scope. Availability, delivery and installation responsibilities are confirmed in the quotation.
Why Geosynthetics South Africa
One enquiry coordinates the specified product, technical submission, delivery and any agreed installation and QA/QC scope. We define quantities, programme, responsibilities and handover requirements against your project.
Associated catalogue products
Applications
Installation & quality
Industries
Product documents and additional links
GS silt curtains
Contain suspended sediment in water
Our turbidity barriers are engineered for sediment containment in rivers, dams, marine and dredging environments where durability, flotation stability and tensile strength are critical.
Global brands
GSE geomembranes, MIRAFI geotextiles, Tensar geogrids and Eurobent GCLs, supported by grade-specific technical documentation.
Supply & installation
Product supply, site delivery, fabrication and specialist installation coordinated to the project specification and programme.
Documented QA/QC
Material traceability, installation inspections, applicable testing and handover records defined for the agreed scope.