THE LAUNCESTON Flood Authority will trial a potential solution to address silt in the Tamar River next week.
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The trial will look at raking as a way to reduce sediment build-up in the Tamar Estuary's upper reaches.
The Authority's chairman Alan Birchmore said the trial would involve using powerful local fishing vessel FV Karmin to tow a heavy sediment rake to break up sediment when the tides are ebbing between September 19-30.
The vessel, fully equipped with 3D imaging scanners, will measure the sediment banks before, during and after the raking.
Mr Birchmore said the method would use strong tidal flows or flows after flooding in the South or North Esk Rivers to move the sediment banks that will be disturbed by the deep raking.
He said the method was last undertaken in 1995 and was successful.
``It was successful but not enough is known about the ideal equipment arrangements, the best method of raking or how much of the sediment will return during the summer months when the incoming tide is more powerful and the river flows are light,'' he said.
Read more in The Examiner tomorrow.