Abstract: The invention provides a method for removing a solid material, e.g., sludge, from the bottom of a body of water. The method includes the steps of: a) placing a turbidity curtain of water impermeable material about a first minor portion of a body of water, the curtain extending from the surface to the bottom of the body and defining a first cell, b) pumping sludge from the first cell, c) placing a turbidity curtain around a second minor portion of the body of water, the curtain extending from the surface to the bottom of the body and defining a second cell, d) pumping sludge from the second cell after pumping from the first cell has ceased, e) after the resuspended solids in the water in the first cell have been allowed to settle for a predetermined time after pumping, moving the first cell to a different location in the body of water, and f) repeating steps d) and e) with the first cell, after being moved, becoming the second cell and the second cell becoming the first cell.