Loss of topsoil is a huge problem. Each year the world loses a whopping 24 billion tons of topsoil. Soil erosion is a particularly huge problem during construction and land development. During construction we can attempt to limit the amount of land we move to prevent erosion. Let’s look at measures that can be taken to limit soil erosion and keep sediment from leaving your site.
Landscaping has a larger purpose than just making your site look appealing. The plants intercept the rain and reduce splash erosion. The thick stems also spread out water runoff.
Plant roots are a major component of keeping a hillside or sloped area in place. When you plant vegetation with deep roots, those roots hold onto the dirt keeping that hill in place.
Establishing vegetation including grasses is a quick way to reduce erosion control. For bigger construction projects, temporary seeding might be recommended to keep the job site intact. This process uses hydroseeding which utilizes spreading a “slurry” of seed and mulch.
Once a construction project is complete, permanent vegetation establishes long-term ground cover. This typically applies grasses and other native vegetation which will grow well without lots of maintenance.
Spreading mulch or straw is used to cover dirt preventing it from washing away. Insulating the ground helps modify the soil temperature and also conserve moisture so that grasses, shrubs, and seedlings can get a strong growing start. This will help them establish their roots which again supports erosion control.
Biodegradable erosion control blankets can be rolled out to cover bare ground. These enable vegetation a stable place to take root and grow. Depending on the material that is selected, these coverings can last up to two years. As your ground covering is established, your dirt is protected and any erosion will be minimal.
Many construction sites have a short plastic fabric fence surrounding it. These barriers are called silt fences. These temporary construction fences are made of polypropylene woven fabric which is intended to pond sediment-laden storm runoff keeping sediment on the jobsite. These barriers are often installed with wooden stakes and are easy to install and late remove.
Ensuring water is correctly running through and off your site is important. Your site will need to be properly examined and then a plan outlined to ensure an excess water is being routed to the desired area. You want to ensure you are routing water improperly to neighboring properties.
If you are looking to start a construction project, MB&R Contractors has a highly skilled staff. We manage and execute projects with our in-house team. In addition to managing site erosion, we provide full service contractor services including: welding, concrete installation, steel work from fabrication to steel buildings, water control, dump truck services, and much more. We are happy to help you with projects of all sizes and scope. MB&R Contractors takes on residential, commercial, and industrial projects with our own in-house team.
