The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District, has released this very interesting video named ‘Dredge Potter pipeline positioning’.
The St. Louis District, Dredge Potter can move 50,000 cubic yards per day of alluvial materials from the bottom of the river bed and send the material long distances through a floating discharge pipe.
During operation, the dustpan dredge swings from side to side alternately, using its port and starboard spuds as a pivot, with cables attached to anchors on each side controlling lateral movement.
Built in 1932 during the Great Depression, the Dredge Potter is the Corps’ oldest dredge and was originally launched as a steam-powered vessel.
Today’s Potter is a “dustpan dredge” named for Brigadier General Charles Lewis Potter who was St. Louis District commander from 1910 to 1912, and President of the Mississippi River Commission from 1920 to 1928.