Alabama Soil and Water Blog Spot

  Check Dams are a temporary practice used to help stabilize a concentrated flow area during construction.  This one picture captures most all the criteria for a Wattle Check Dam. It was located so that the water surface of the downstream check dam backs water up to the downstream toe of this dam, it has a geotextile underlayment to minimize scour and undermining, T-Pee staking was used to hold the wattle in-place, the wattle was pinned to the ground surface with sod staples to prevent floatation, and each end of the wattle was high enough in elevation to make sure the flow goes over the dam and not around. Whether manufactured or man-made, make sure the Check Dam has runoff go over and not around or under, and that there is proper spacing between dams.  Also, remember that check dams are temporary practices and are to be removed when the concentrated flow surface is stabilized.   Perry L Oakes, PE Program Coordinator AL Erosion and Sediment Control Program

  This picture clearly shows the difference between adequate mulch (left) and too little mulch (right).  Adequate mulch when used alone for soil protection should have 100% ground cover. Inadequate mulch cover results in splash erosion which often initiates the erosion process.   Perry L Oakes, PE Program Coordinator AL Erosion and Sediment Control Program