Prior to its development, a significant proportion of the area of land upon which the Ardersier Yard was established was covered by a saltmarsh which flooded during high tide. This area also featured a Sand Bar or Spit which provided protection from the sea along the northern shoreline. The means employed in developing this landscape into a suitable site was a combination of dredging and land reclamation works. After the land was acquired in early 1972 and planning permission granted for the Fabrication Yard, dredging activity started in June of that year.
The channel was formed by dredging the inlet area that lay between the saltmarsh and the Sand Bar to the north. The dredging of this tidal area provided a large proportion of the fill material upon which the Yard was established. After a substantial amount of reclamation works had been completed a sheet pile wall was formed to contain the earthworks and provide the basis for the quayside. Upon installation of the sheet pile wall, dredging of the channel and preparation of the Yard surface could be finalised.
The completed inner channel was approximately 200 m wide with a low-water depth of 5.5 m and high-water depth of 9.0 m. The outer channel was 100 m wide with a low-water depth of 3.5 m and high-water depth of 7.0 m.
Due to natural silting of the end of the sand bar maintenance dredging of the outer channel was carried out when required to enable access for shipping and transportation barges.