TrapBag® cofferdam bags are a reliable, cost-effective option for creating dry work areas in shallow-water environments. Designed for quick deployment and removal, these bags help construction crews, engineers, and environmental agencies control water flow and complete projects.
Overview: TrapBag® Cofferdam Bags
Our cofferdam bags are an innovative alternative to traditional cofferdam materials. Unlike standard TrapBag® barriers, our cofferdams are individual rectangular bags that feature rigid Coroplast panels to maintain their shape and allow easy placement.
These bags are designed to be filled with gravel, lifted into place with an excavator or skid steer spreader bar, and removed without leaving behind any fill material. Their ease of use makes them ideal for temporary water control that complies with environmental regulations.
More Details About Your Cofferdam Bags
- Available in 2-foot and 4-foot heights
- Made with durable, leak-resistant materials
- Can be placed flush against adjacent bags for a secure seal
- Requires a spreader bar for safe lifting and removal
- Suitable for short-term projects in rivers, lakes, and coastal areas
How to Use Temporary Cofferdam Bags
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1
Unpack the bags
TrapBag® cofferdam bags come folded up on a pallet. Open up each unit and get them ready for filling. -
2
Fill with gravel
Insert the forks on your forklift into the sleeves at the top of the bag. This helps hold the bag open for filling. -
3
Lift and position
Attach the eight straps on the TrapBag® cofferdam bag to the eight-point spreader bar. Once connected, you can begin lifting and setting the TrapBag® Cofferdam Bags into position. -
4
Remove when done
Once the project is complete, lift the bags out and empty them in a designated area.
Industries Using Them
TrapBags help organizations of all types control water levels wherever they need to work. Some of the industries and organizations we support include:
Construction
Create dry workspaces for bridge and roadway projects. Learn More »Civil Engineering
Provides stable environments for underwater infrastructure work. Learn More »Coastal Engineering
Manages water flow for shoreline stabilization. Learn More »Municipalities & Governments
Undergirds public works projects such as pier installations. Learn More »Mining
Creates a dry area for mineral and metal extraction. Learn More »Environmental Protection Services
Supports riverbed cleanups and ecological restoration. Learn More »Projects
See All Our Past Projects »
Cofferdam System Supports Dam Repairs in Santa Fe
June 30, 2025 Read More » about Cofferdam System Supports Dam Repairs in Santa Fe
Temporary Cofferdam Installation in Bee Spring, Kentucky
October 9, 2025 Read More » about Temporary Cofferdam Installation in Bee Spring, Kentucky
Coastal Seawall Repair in Portsmouth, Rhode Island
November 12, 2025 Read More » about Coastal Seawall Repair in Portsmouth, Rhode Island
TrapBag Cofferdam Supports Riverbank Remediation in Scranton, Pennsylvania
August 6, 2026 Read More » about TrapBag Cofferdam Supports Riverbank Remediation in Scranton, Pennsylvania
TrapBag® Cofferdam System in Indiantown, Florida
August 6, 2026 Read More » about TrapBag® Cofferdam System in Indiantown, FloridaTrapBag® vs. Other Materials
Sheet Pile Cofferdams
These structures are ideal for sites in deeper water, such as construction projects in the middle of a large river or a harbor. They’re also ideal for projects that require long periods of underwater work, such as bridge construction.
However, they can be costly, and despite their durability, they are impractical for shallow-water projects. TrapBag® is ideal for these projects because it offers the same results with a far less expensive price tag.
Water-Filled/Inflatable Barriers
Water-inflated cofferdams use water to create a seal that protects your work site from excess water. They allow crews to work in areas that wouldn’t normally be accessible due to the amount of water.
However, water barriers are prone to punctures and leaks. TrapBag® cofferdam bags offer greater durability and reliability.
Sandbag Cofferdams
Sandbags are the old reliable choice for temporary cofferdams, but they require extensive labor and can be unstable if not built properly. TrapBag® cofferdam bags can be filled in under an hour, are leak-resistant, and are reusable for multiple projects.
TrapBag Cofferdam Bag Specifications
Use these figures to scope quantities, draft specifications, and compare bids. Contact TrapBag for spec sheets and submittal documents.
Request Spec Sheets| Height | 4ft. |
|---|---|
| Configuration | Discrete two-cell bags set flush in a continuous row |
| Material | Heavy-duty, permeable polypropylene geotextile |
| Fill | Gravel or local aggregate, filled on site |
| Watertight seal | HDPE liner on the water-facing side |
| Reuse | Emptied, removed, and redeployed across projects |
About Trapbag
TrapBag is a trusted global provider of flood and erosion control products. Our products help many different industries manage water with innovative designs that simplify deployment and removal.
At TrapBag®, our experts support clients with personalized guidance for any project. With extensive experience in engineering and environmental resilience, we help industries and communities better protect their infrastructure and property.
Procurement & Project Support
TrapBag works with public agencies, prime contractors, and engineering firms from budgeting through installation.
- Project sizing
- Send the length of the cofferdam alignment, water depth, current, bottom conditions, work duration, and delivery site, and TrapBag returns a system layout, unit count, and pricing for budgets, bid tabs, and purchase orders.
- Submittal documents
- Spec sheets, product data, and Army Corps of Engineers testing documentation for engineer review and bid packages.
- Purchasing options
- Direct purchase orders, authorized distributors, and GSA Schedule contract 47QSMS26D0024 for federal, state, and local government buyers.
- Reuse across projects
- Contractors and agencies can empty, store, and redeploy the same bags on the next job, which spreads the purchase cost across multiple projects.
- Installation guidance
- TrapBag's team supports contractors 24/7 across multiple countries and continents, from alignment layout to liner placement.
Frequently Asked Questions
A temporary cofferdam is a watertight wall placed in a river, lake, or shoreline so crews can pump the enclosed area dry and work on the bottom. Contractors use cofferdams for bridge pier repairs, culvert and outfall construction, dam maintenance, and riverbank remediation, then remove them when the work is done.
The rigid Coroplast panels let units sit flush against each other for tight, leak-resistant joints, and an HDPE liner along the water-facing side creates a fully watertight seal. Like most cofferdams, a TrapBag system usually needs a dewatering pump to handle seepage through the streambed or lake bottom.
TrapBag cofferdam bags stand 4 feet tall and suit shallow to transitional water. For deeper water, strong current, or soft bottom conditions, send TrapBag your site details for a system review before specifying.
Standard TrapBag barriers are continuous 50-foot chains of pentagonal cells with a sloped face, filled in place and left as a permanent or long-term structure. Cofferdam bags are discrete two-cell units with rigid rectangular panels, fork sleeves for lifting, and a bottom discharge chute, so crews can place them in water, empty them, and reuse them on the next project.
Yes. TrapBag’s GSA Schedule listing, contract 47QSMS26D0024, covers cofferdams for direct purchase by eligible government buyers.
Most do. In-water work usually needs U.S. Army Corps of Engineers review under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act or Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act, plus a state stream or waterway permit. Many states also restrict in-stream work during fish spawning windows, so check with your state environmental agency before setting a schedule.