SoilErosion.com

Soil Erosion Problems and Solutions

Coir Logs

Products to Help Prevent Soil Erosion

Soil erosion is usually caused by one of two environmental events — wind or water.

Wind erosion occurs in flat, bare areas where land may have recently been cultivated or in dry, sandy areas where soil might be loose or unstable. Wind erosion lifts soil particles into the air and deposits sediment over great distances. Preventing soil erosion due to wind involves stabilizing the soil, increasing its moisture content, and encouraging it to form clumps and clods, making it more difficult to move.

Soil erosion caused by water produces drastic changes across a landscape. As surface soil is washed away, vital nutrients go with it, compromising seed and plant growth. Cultivated land is susceptible to sheet erosion when the soil becomes overwhelmed by the rush of water and can’t absorb moisture or filter the water. Combatting erosion from water involves shoring up ditches and culverts, as well as creating dams to divert water’s progress or slow it down.

Causes of Soil Erosion

Rainfall and runoff contribute to soil erosion by carrying soil away and leaving behind sediment, pesticides, and fertilizers in its path. Wind does much the same, except dust clouds from suspension erosion can travel vast distances to blanket regions or smother crops with sediment.

Soil’s vulnerability to erosion might dictate how extensive damage might be but may also provide clues to preventing erosion or minimizing its impacts.

Slope length, land topography, and elevation contribute to soil erosion. Mudslides are a common sight when erosion from water sends sheets of topsoil to slide over itself and dislodge. Accumulating structures like sand dunes created from deposits left from wind erosion are likely to be lifted and carried into the air over and over during a wind event.

Vegetation, or the lack of it, plays a vital role in keeping soil stable and stationary. Roots from growing plants help bind soil together to make it harder to move. Trees can provide soil protection from the wind by making it more difficult for wind to reach the soil.

Effects of Soil Erosion

Economic impacts include crop loss, loss of soil fertility, and repairs or restorations to regions affected by soil erosion. Infrastructure might be weakened and roadways compromised due to accumulating sediment or runoff.

The environmental impacts of soil erosion can be seen in several influences. Wind erosion might strip the land of its topsoil surface and compromise substructures or rooting plants. Water erosion can stress rivers and streams and cause their protective banks to collapse under water’s driving force. 

In regard to the impacts on human health, wind erosion can cause dust and dirt particles to be lifted into the air and possibly blown through windows, exacerbating allergies or upper-respiratory issues. Water erosion compromises agriculture and might result in low-quality produce. Both types of erosion wash away fertilizers and pesticides, carrying them over the land to deposit in rivers or streams or via wind, tainting air and water quality. 

Preventative Measures

Today’s market offers many soil erosion control products in varying applications that can help minimize the impact. Whether their use is for road construction or to provide stabilization and filtration, there are products that can meet and exceed expectations. 

Geotextiles help control erosion and come in several different shapes, types, and textures depending on the purpose it will serve. Geotextiles come in three main forms: woven, non-woven, and coir. These textiles are useful in the preventative practices of strip farming and terracing.

Woven Geotextiles

Woven geotextiles and fabrics are made from several different fiber types. Their tight construction stabilizes soil and are effective for erosion control. These geotextiles are often used in road construction and shoreline erosion control. Woven geotextiles are put to work in regions of heavy erosion, in riprap, and on embankments and slopes to minimize runoff and wall collapse.

Non-woven Geotextiles

Non-woven geotextiles are used for their smooth, felt-like surface that allows water to flow through the fabric while still filtering particles. Non-woven geotextiles are used in areas that require subsurface filtration and stabilization and provide adequate drainage. Non-woven geotextiles are often found in asphalt overlays and in the understructure of ponds. 

Coir textiles

Coir textiles are made from the husk of the coconut and provide a natural solution to erosion control. Coir textiles allow for deep rooting and provide nutrients to support the growth and development of vegetation. Coir supplies adequate aeration and drainage to allow for permanent vegetation to grow through. Coir works to hold seeds and saplings in place and is safe for wildlife. Coir needs no chemical treatment. 

Coir is used to create check dams — small dam constructions across ditches or swales to slow the flow of water or divert its movement. It also adds to existing contours in order to build up the land or fill rills or gullies. Because coir’s life span is two to five years, it is used for short-term, temporary, and semi-permanent solutions. Coir comes in various forms in order to utilize it to its full potential. 

  • Coir wattles create a natural barrier to filter water. Coir wattles are used for their strength and filtration qualities and make wattles ideal for new construction sites to minimize impact. They’re also found in restoration projects to help prevent future damage.
  • Coir erosion control blankets are used to increase soil stability. They are effective in decreasing the effects of wind and water erosion and are often used on slopes or areas sensitive to erosion. In climates where there is a lot of shade or cold temperatures increase seed germination time, coir erosion blankets are used to protect and nurture seeds.
  • Coir logs work in the same way as wattles and blankets, but their shape makes them ideal for use in areas of erosion and runoff such as hills, banks, and shorelines.

More is understood today about how soil erosion impacts the environment, economy, and health. With this knowledge in mind, products on the market are designed to perform various functions in order to stem the tide and offset the wind.

Ways to Control River Bank Erosion

Rivers and streams are dynamic waterways that are always changing. Part of this change occurs during river bank erosion. While river bank erosion can sometimes deliver favorable results, more often it can have harmful outcomes. Learn more about how and why river bank erosion occurs and methods you can use to stop bank erosion from happening.

What Is River Bank Erosion?

River bank erosion occurs when water wears away at the banks of a river or stream. While river erosion is a naturally occurring process, human impact can increase its rate. Common contributing factors to river and stream bank erosion include:

  • Clearing vegetation away from the river bank.
  • Flooding.
  • Intense rainfall.
  • River bank saturation from nonriver water.
  • Stream and land use management.
  • River straightening.
  • River redirection around infrastructure or debris in the channel.
  • Characteristics of the river bank soil.

The Impact of River Bank Erosion

While almost all rivers will have some amount of healthy river bank erosion, unstable rivers that have large amounts of erosion are cause for concern. At the site of the erosion, issues can include loss of businesses and farmland, which can bring economic hardship to the area. Additionally, erosion can lead to homelessness and migration if people are forced to move. The most significant problem with river bank erosion is mass failure, which occurs when an entire section of the river bank collapses into the river.

Not only does river bank erosion impact the area where the erosion is happening but it can also affect life down the river. Erosion sends extra sediment downstream, which can change the river’s course and disrupt shipping channels.

How to Stop River Bank Erosion

While river bank erosion is an ongoing issue, there are certain river bank control methods available that can slow down or even stop the process. Because erosion occurs in a natural environment on the water, most people prefer to use natural materials to control river bank erosion. When you’re exploring river bank erosion control options, you’ll find everything from temporary and biodegradable materials to permanent solutions.

Natural Vegetation

Vegetation has a major impact on bank erosion. For the most part, river banks that have vegetation erode slower than those without. This is because the roots of the vegetation generally increase the soil’s strength around the river bank, which makes the bank less prone to mass failure. Additionally, plants can act as shock absorbers during heavy rainfall, which also slows the rate of erosion.

While trees and plants that are native to the area are always the best choices when selecting natural vegetation to control river bank erosion, you can also opt for plants known for their expansive root systems and ability to grow near water. The willow tree is one of the best choices for stopping erosion on the river bank because it grows large and durable root systems rapidly.

Soil Erosion Mats

Another common option for erosion control is a soil erosion mat. While these mats are sometimes made with wood fiber or straw, one of the top materials used is coir coconut fiber. This is because coir is strong yet natural. Plus, unlike straw or wood, coir can last in the water anywhere from two to five years.

It’s good for areas that need temporary reinforcement because it offers a period of increased stabilization before eventually biodegrading into the surrounding area. Additionally, coir soil erosion mats won’t harm fish or other wildlife in the water, and it can help vegetation establish along the shoreline for long-term erosion control.

Coir Logs

Coir logs are another river bank erosion repair method made using coconut fiber. Coir logs are large in diameter, which makes them ideal for supporting river banks or being used for erosion control on hills, shorelines, and other areas prone to erosion. Even though they’re big, coir logs are easy to place. Once they’re in position, they can help establish vegetation growth. They’ve been effectively used in construction sites, restoration projects, and stabilization areas. Most coir logs will last two to five years before biodegrading.

Geotextiles

You can get geotextiles in different materials for a variety of applications. One option you’ll find is woven or nonwoven synthetic fiber geotextiles. Woven geotextiles are incredibly strong, which makes them well-equipped to handle large drainage and erosion control areas. Nonwoven geotextiles are permeable, so they’re ideal for areas where you need drainage and sediment control. Because both woven and nonwoven geotextiles are made with synthetic fibers, they’re UV- and rot-resistant.

You can also find geotextiles made with coir fabric. The fabric comes on rolls that flatten out on the embankment. Unlike synthetic fabric geotextiles, coir geotextiles are biodegradable and won’t harm the environment. Additionally, the roots of vegetation can potentially grow through the fibers and establish plants over the geotextiles.

Tree Revetment 

Tree revetment is a river bank erosion control system that uses small fallen trees anchored horizontally in place along the river bank to prevent erosion. The trees slow the flow of water, which cuts back on the rate of erosion. They also catch sediment in the tree branches and prevent it from flowing down the river. This sediment then creates an effective soil bed to let natural vegetation take root.

Gabions

For a river bank that needs a strong and permanent erosion control method, gabions might be the best choice. Gabions are large metal baskets filled with stone or concrete rubble. They’re an ideal solution for areas in which a large amount of soil erosion is likely to occur. Although they’re not particularly attractive, you can sink the gabions below the water line at the river. Not only does this make them nearly invisible but it also helps slow the velocity of water flow and train the river to flow in the desired path.

Although river bank erosion has serious consequences, you have several option to control it. When you need to stop river bank erosion, consider implementing one of these effective methods.