Alabama Soil and Water Blog Spot

  Shear Stress (Tractive Force) is often hard to understand.  It is the force of water that is trying to drag the channel surface downstream. This is a picture where the rock was too small, the force of the water removed the rock.  Hydraulic designs for concentrated flow areas should always include calculations to insure the channel surface will withstand the shear force of the water.     Perry L Oakes, PE Erosion and Sediment Control Program Coordinator AL Soil and Water Conservation Committee

  What may seem insignificant can still cause a problem.  Here’s an example of some routine utility work where the runoff moved quickly into the street curb and gutter, and then into the storm sewer.  What seems insignificant can still cause water quality impacts.   Perry L Oakes, PE Erosion and Sediment Control Program Coordinator AL Soil and Water Conservation Committee