Erosion and Sediment Control Tip #44

 


Concentrated flow areas across the landscape can be everything from a roadside ditch all the way to a river. The land adjacent to these concentrated flow areas need vegetative cover.  These areas are often referred to as a riparian zone for streams, creeks, and rivers.  Riparian areas provide the last line of defense against non-point source pollution from entering our Waters of the State.  Why people spray roadside ditches or stream banks with herbicide or worse yet diesel fuel to kill the vegetation is beyond me.  I hope it is just a case of not understanding.  Make it a point in your daily routine to help others understand the importance of the natural “living filter” around concentrated flow areas.

 

(Thanks to Eve Brantley and Skip Ragsdale for the excellent photography work.)

 

Perry L Oakes, PE

Erosion and Sediment Control Program Coordinator

AL Soil and Water Conservation Committee

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Today’s Erosion and Sediment Control Tip: #16

Image
  Today’s Erosion and Sediment Control Tip Sediment Basins require a device to dewater from the surface of the basin to remove the cleanest (less turbid) water.  This is often accomplished with a skimming device that is designed to remove the stored construction runoff over a period of 2 to 5 days.  It is important that the skimmer be installed and maintained properly. Skimmers must have a flexible connection to the rigid pipe or riser system that goes through the dam.  It should easily operate at all design elevations.  When placed on a principal spillway riser, the pipe from the skimmer to the flexible connection should be about 1.5 x the height of the riser structure. The flexible pipe outlet at the rigid pipe or riser system through the dam should be at the standing pool elevation to ensure the skimmer does not function below the required elevation. A rock pad should be constructed for the skimming device to rest on when discharge is complete.  The skim...
Read more

Erosion and Sediment Control Tip #72

Image
  Could someone please explain to me why landscaping is usually the “LAST” item to be complete on a construction job? Exposed soil should be stabilized at EVERY opportunity during a construction project.     ONLY 9 DAYS LEFT FOR EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION FOR CLEAR WATER ALABAMA!!   Perry L Oakes, PE Program Coordinator AL Erosion and Sediment Control Program
Read more

Erosion and Sediment Control Tip #71

Image
  Instead of raised islands in a parking lot, why not use a depressed island (Bioretention Swale or Bioswale).  This allows for some stormwater runoff to infiltrate the soil, decreases the peak runoff, decreases the volume of runoff, and allows for smaller stormwater pipes.  Makes sense to me.   Remember: The Early Bird rates for Clear Water Alabama 2024 end August 15, 2024.   Perry L Oakes, PE Program Coordinator AL Erosion and Sediment Control Program  
Read more