Alabama Soil and Water Blog Spot

  As our country continues to develop and urbanize, the next big hurdle is for Green Infrastructure and Low impact Development to be commonplace instead of rare.  We can control the peak discharge, but we likewise must control runoff and use methods to infiltrate the rain back into the soil.  _______________________________________________________________________________________     Clear Water Alabama 2026 :   It’s A Process   We are pleased to announce the 2026 Clear Water Alabama Seminar and Field Day, a premier event dedicated to advancing erosion and sediment control, stormwater management, and water quality protection across Alabama. Dates: September 23–24, 2026 Location: Synergic Center, 3650 5th St, Northport, Alabama 35476 (Tuscaloosa area)   This two-day program brings together professionals, planners, designers, contractors, inspectors, and community leaders for practical education, hands-on learning, and valuable ne...

  Valves can be used on the outlet of a sediment basin; however, they must be properly used.  A valve can be used to store turbid runoff until the water is clean enough for discharge.  A properly used flocculant will reduce the storage time for the basin by quickly reducing turbidity. Always check for upcoming runoff events and make sure the basin has storage available. So, the take home is that a valve on the outlet of a sediment basin requires proper manual operation.   Perry L Oakes, PE Alabama’s Erosion and Sediment Control Program Manager