The present invention relates to a method for operating a cutting dredger (1) in open water, in particular to control of a ground reaction force during dredging operations, the dredger comprising; - a floating body (2), - an elongate cutter ladder (3) having a cutting head (4) at its lowerable free end for dredging, which cutter ladder (3) is hingeably coupled to the floating body (2) and hingeable between an upwards position and a cutting position wherein the cutting head (4) engages matter (5) to be cut away at the floor (6) of a body of water (7).