Alabama Soil and Water Blog Spot

  There are many Sediment Control Practices that require the captured sediment to be removed and properly disposed of when ½ of the sediment storage volume has been reached.  First, if you are having to deal with sediment removal on your construction site, you should look upslope and fix the erosion control methods and practices.  However, if you must remove sediment, do so without destroying the sediment control practice. Where is the location for placement of the sediment and how should it be “properly” disposed of?  Most likely the sediment will be saturated.  This requires the material to dry out somewhat before it can be stabilized.  Locate a good area on the jobsite.  Preferably a site with good vegetation downslope and not near a receiving stream.  If there is no vegetation that could serve as a grass filter, then you’ll probably need to install a silt fence to control the runoff. Stack the removed sediment as much as it will stack and let ...

  Many of the Erosion Control Products like Rolled Erosion Control Blankets, Turf Reinforcement Mats, tied concrete block mats, and other manufactured products rely on vegetation for permanent stabilization.  This means that the soil underneath these products must be of the quality to support vegetation.  Eric Marsal of the American Excelsior Company and John Slupeki of Motz Enterprises Inc. (Flexamat) have helped me develop the following list of things to remember about getting vegetation established for these erosion control  products:   Take a soil test to know the lime and fertilizer requirements. Eliminate compaction problems.  Roots can’t penetrate compacted layers. Caution: DON’T rip the soil in the direction of flowing surface water.  This can result in erosion.  Rip or disc the soil perpendicular to water flow if possible. Rototilling can be done in either direction. Correct a low pH by INCORPORAT...