Dredging method and apparatus

An improved hydraulic dredging apparatus for removing a sediment layer from an underlying substrate lying below a water surface includes a receptacle having an open-front portion through which is sediment is collected, means for attaching the dredging apparatus to the submersible end of a boom that extends from a surface vehicle, a hydraulic pump for pumping a sediment and water slurry to the water's surface. The improvements to this dredging apparatus further include a buoyancy compensation chamber for allowing the pressure of the receptacle on the underlying substrate to be controlled, a load cell that determines the degree to which the receptacle is full of sediment, a water manifold system that allows water to be added to the receptacle's contents so as to control the percentage solids content of the slurry being pumped, bottom slide runner that prevents the receptacle from digging too deeply into the underlying substrate and an intake visor that is affixed to a top, leading edge of the receptacle for the purpose of controlling the area of the receptacle's front opening.