TrapBag® cellular barriers give public works departments, levee districts, and engineering contractors a fast way to build temporary dikes, raise existing levees, and control water around dams. Crews stretch 50-foot sections into place, fill them with sand or gravel using an excavator or skid steer, and stack rows for added height. For permanent structures, crews pump concrete into the cells.
TrapBag ships folded on pallets, so agencies can stockpile barriers before flood season. Procurement teams can request pricing, spec sheets, and quantity estimates by the linear foot for bid packages, capital projects, and emergency flood fights.
Using TrapBag as Materials for Dam, Dike & Levee Construction
TrapBag was designed with flood protection in mind as a strengthened, improved alternative to the traditional sandbag. Whether you need to set up temporary levees or use them as dam construction materials, TrapBag protects what matters most by controlling and directing the flow of water, especially during high-risk scenarios.
TrapBag barriers make ideal dike and levee construction materials because they can keep water away from wherever you don’t need it. These barriers are a low-cost, rapid-deployment solution that is similar to, yet improves upon, the design of conventional sandbag barriers. They can withstand at least five years of UV exposure and have been successfully tested by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for their ability to hold back water.
Furthermore, using TrapBag as a temporary dike system can make it easier to regulate water levels in low-lying areas during periods of flooding or heavy rain. TrapBag can be used as the basis for a dike or water barrier that diverts flood waters away from construction sites while crews are constructing more permanent flood protection structures.
How They’re Deployed as Temporary Water Barriers
Whether you need temporary dike construction materials or the basis for a permanent dam, TrapBag is the solution. The barriers are easier to install and stronger than other types of flood protection barriers, including sandbags, all while being more cost-effective for temporary flood protection.
TrapBag can be set up as a flood control barrier in just a few simple steps:
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1
Open the packaging
TrapBag barriers come folded up on a pallet. Pull your barrier out like an accordion and stretch it up to 50 linear feet per unit. -
2
Place the barrier where you need it
Place the TrapBag barrier wherever you might need it, whether you’re reinforcing an existing levee or creating a temporary dam near a flood-prone area. -
3
Fill the cells
A team of three people with an excavator or skid steer can fill your TrapBag barrier within minutes using sand, washed gravel, or concrete. You can also stack another barrier on top of it and fill that barrier as well for added height.
Who We Serve
Organizations and agencies across numerous industries use TrapBag to keep their communities and assets safe from the harmful effects of floods. Some of the groups we help include:
Municipalities & governments
Public works departments, emergency managers, and levee districts use TrapBag to raise levee crowns during flood fights, close gaps in dike systems, and protect low-lying streets, lift stations, and treatment plants. Learn More »Construction
Contractors build temporary TrapBag dikes to divert floodwater from active sites, which keeps excavation and foundation work on schedule during high water. Learn More »Civil engineers
Civil engineering firms specify TrapBag for temporary levee raises, interim flood control during levee rehabilitation, and diversion structures that protect roads and communities. Learn More »Mining
Mine operators use TrapBag for safety berms and water control structures around pits and tailings areas. Learn More »Environmental protection services
Environmental protection organizations and agencies can use TrapBag as a temporary flood protection dam to reduce the damage that river and coastal floods can cause in habitats and other sensitive natural areas. Learn More »Projects
See All Our Past Projects »
Levee Installed for Flood Protection in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
May 7, 2020 Read More » about Levee Installed for Flood Protection in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Flood Protection in Fargo, North Dakota
January 24, 2012 Read More » about Flood Protection in Fargo, North Dakota
Flood Protection in Grand Rapids, Michigan
May 7, 2020 Read More » about Flood Protection in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Flood Protection in Sioux Falls, SD
March 21, 2019 Read More » about Flood Protection in Sioux Falls, SD
How TrapBags Stack Up Against the Rest
Sandbags
Sandbags have been used for centuries as one of the only solutions people had to protect their communities during floods. They’re inexpensive and can be stacked to create makeshift dams, dikes, levees, and other structures that mitigate flood damage.
However, sandbags aren’t ideal for preventing flood damage. When stacked improperly, sandbag dams are more likely to fail or give way, causing catastrophic damage. They’re also labor-intensive to fill and require a large team of people several days of work to get the same result as a TrapBag barrier.
TrapBags require 40% less fill material than standard sandbags and require just two units for a100-foot barrier, compared to almost 8,000 sandbags for a barrier with the same dimensions.
TrapBag Specifications for Dam, Dike & Levee Projects
Use these figures to scope quantities, draft specifications, and compare bids. Contact TrapBag for spec sheets and submittal documents.
Request Spec Sheets| Section length | 50 linear feet per unit; ships folded on pallets and connects end to end |
|---|---|
| Heights | 2 ft and 4 ft; over 6 ft uses a three-row pyramid |
| Fabric | High-strength polypropylene geotextile |
| UV exposure | Withstands at least five years of UV exposure |
| Fill & crew | Temporary dikes and levee raises; three people with an excavator or skid steer, permanent structures with concrete |
| Sandbag equivalent | 100 ft of 4-ft TrapBag replaces about 8,000 sandbags and uses 40% less fill |
| Testing | Tested by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
Why Choose TrapBag as a Flood Water Barrier Solution?
TrapBag was first designed in 2004 by our founder, Everett “Buzz” Waid, as an all-around improved alternative to traditional flood control solutions. He was inspired to create a better barrier after a hurricane devastated his Florida community.
Since then, we’ve found that TrapBag has ample uses beyond just protecting areas from flood damage. It can also be used to divert mudflows, as cofferdam systems for projects in the water, and as stormwater detention ponds.
TrapBags improve upon the design of traditional sandbags because of their pentagonal shape. Each cell has one sloped side and one vertical side for added integrity with 60% of the mass in the bottom 50% of the barrier.
Procurement & Project Support
TrapBag works with public agencies, prime contractors, and engineering firms from budgeting through installation.
- Quotes by the linear foot
- Send the length of the dike or levee section, the height you need above grade or crest, fill material, and delivery site, and TrapBag returns pricing and a pallet count 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 and authorized distributors.
- Flood-season stockpiling
- Folded barriers take far less warehouse space than equivalent sandbags, so agencies can hold inventory before spring high water and deploy the day a river forecast turns.
- Installation guidance
- TrapBag's team supports contractors 24/7 across multiple countries and continents, from site layout to fill methods
Frequently Asked Questions
TrapBag barriers create a connected cellular wall that helps redirect or contain water during maintenance, emergency drawdowns, or overflow events. Their rapid installation makes them a practical choice when crews need temporary water control along a dam or spillway.
Yes. Agencies frequently use TrapBag systems to raise dike elevations or reinforce weakened sections during flooding. The pentagon-shaped design places most of the mass low in the structure, improving stability when water levels rise quickly.
TrapBag creates an effective water barrier using interconnected cells filled with sand, gravel, or small rock. These barriers help contain, slow, or redirect water during planned construction work or emergency response situations.
Yes. TrapBags with lids can be used to stabilize eroding banks or slopes near these structures, helping reduce soil loss and protect nearby infrastructure.
Each unit is shaped so that most of its mass sits in the lower portion of the structure, helping reduce tipping and improving stability when exposed to strong or rapidly changing water pressure.
Yes. TrapBag systems can be placed directly on existing earthworks to increase elevation during flood conditions. Base rows must be fully installed and filled before additional rows are added.
Each TrapBag unit covers 50 linear feet, so a 1,000-foot temporary dike at a single row height needs 20 units. Taller dikes need stacked rows, and walls over 6 feet use a three-row pyramid. Send your length, target height, and fill material to TrapBag for an exact count.