Alabama Soil and Water Blog Spot

2025 State Land Judging Contestants Tuscaloosa County Soil and Water Conservation District NRCS Alabama Alabama’s Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) have a long tradition of supporting FFA land judging—a hands-on competition that teaches students about soil, conservation, and land use. This year, Tuscaloosa County SWCD led efforts to host the 2025 Alabama State Land Judging Competition at the Tuscaloosa County School System Agriscience Teaching Farm. “We were thrilled when NRCS approached us about hosting,” said Dupree Galloway, Chairman of the Tuscaloosa County SWCD. “Supporting land judging helps us build stronger connections with local schools and students. It’s a natural extension of our mission to promote conservation education and youth engagement.” Tuscaloosa County SWCD coordinated the event —securing a site with diverse soils, ensuring the pits were dug, and managing logistics. They worked closely with partn...

  Most plants need and seek sunlight for survival.  Think about where plants are introduced in the landscape.  These tress are seeking the sun.   Perry L Oakes, PE Program Coordinator AL Erosion and Sediment Control Program

  Make sure the ends of the check dam are higher than the middle (see red line) or else “by-pass” can occur.   Perry L Oakes, PE Alabama’s Erosion and Sediment Control Program Manager

  This is just a reminder that when sediment basins or detention/retention basins used as a sediment basin are specified on a project, they should be constructed and stabilized PRIOR to the commencement of construction activities. So, install and stabilize the basin, and THEN clear the watershed above the basin.  And as always, stabilize disturbed soil at EVERY opportunity.   Perry L Oakes, PE Program Coordinator AL Erosion and Sediment Control Program

  This picture is so “sag”.  Silt fences should be installed tightly, and where water ponds behind the silt fence, the post spacing should be half of the recommended spacing.   Perry L Oakes, PE Program Coordinator AL Erosion and Sediment Control Program

  This is a great picture of the Auburn University Stormwater Research Facility Team. They do an excellent job each year with a workshop and field day.  Proper Erosion and Sediment Control on a job site also requires a “Team” effort.  Everyone on the construction site should be a part of the “Team” and work together to minimize erosion, capture sediment, and keep the downstream receiving waters clean.   To learn more about Auburn’s upcoming Workshop and Field Day go to this link: Auburn Training Perry L Oakes, PE Program Coordinator AL Erosion and Sediment Control Program