Dredging is now underway on the River Parrett downstream of Burrowbridge, Somerset Rivers Authority said.
Following a successful trial last year, a Water Injection Dredging (WID) vessel is being used in combination with an excavator mounted on a floating platform in the river.
Under the cleanup program, the WID Borr removes sediments from lower central parts of the Parrett’s channel – the excavator takes material from upper bank sections and puts it in Borr’s path for washing out to sea on the outgoing tide.
According to the officials, the result is more space in the Parrett for conveying flood water and a better cross-sectional area.