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Soil Erosion Problems and Solutions

Erosion Control

Tips for Using Silt Bags for Erosion Control

Erosion is a common problem on construction sites and extensive agricultural projects, and there are numerous ways to control erosion on a large scale. Silt bags have been proven to be an effective way to control erosion on construction sites. This guide will explain how silt bags are used for erosion control and give you a few tips for using silt bags yourself.

What Are Silt Bags?

Silt bags are dewatering products manufactured from geotextile fabrics. Dewatering is the process of removing water from a construction area with water pumps. If an area was flooded in the past, it may be necessary to pump water away from the site before beginning construction or excavation. By controlling the movement of sediment, silt bags help construction sites comply with stringent stormwater regulations. 

Silt bags filter sediment and other materials from water. When you utilize silt bags, water flows through the bags and sediment is trapped inside.

Applications

Silt bags are used to filter water and can be used at construction sites, wastewater treatment plants, and any job site where sediment needs to be controlled. It’s necessary to mitigate erosion around construction sites in order to minimize the amount of sediment that is carried into lakes, rivers, and streams. 

Sediment can carry pollutants that are detrimental to wildlife, so it’s important to manage the movement of sediment when possible. Using silt bags at construction sites will help protect nearby wildlife, bodies of water, and natural resources.

You can use coir mats, logs, or netting in conjunction with silt bags at construction sites. Coconut coir fibers have an unmatched ability to retain and absorb water. After the silt bag filters the sediment from the water, coir mats or logs will absorb the water for the surrounding vegetation. In this way, sediment-free water is able to be absorbed into the soil or go down a storm drain. 

In addition, the coir mats, logs, and nettings secure the soil in place, preventing the filtered water from washing away the existing soil. Coir products are eco-friendly and biodegradable and provide essential nutrients to the soil as they decompose. They are wholly organic and leave behind no waste products.

Tips for Using Silt Bags

When you want to use silt bags for erosion control, you should first assess the area and see how you can protect the soil and surrounding vegetation. To prevent further erosion, you should support and stabilize the area.

Instead of throwing away the contents of the silt bag, you can put the silt and sediment back on the area for stabilization and support as long as they don’t contain pollutants or hazardous materials. Check the silt bags frequently for clogs or other impairments and replace the bag if needed.

If it’s necessary to pump water away from your construction site, it’s a good idea to use silt bags to control erosion and sediment movement. Using silt bags for erosion control is good for the environment and allows construction to take place without harming the existing vegetation or soil.

Top 3 Erosion Control Methods

Water is one of the most powerful forces on Earth. When combined with windy conditions, it can damage even the best-maintained soil and landscapes. Thankfully, there are several erosion control methods you can utilize. By implementing any of these erosion control methods, you can manage erosion and protect the soil and vegetation in your garden or landscaping.

Riprap

Thanks to its durability and ability to withstand adverse weather conditions, riprap is a good erosion control method. Riprap consists of numerous rocks of all shapes and sizes that are tightly locked together. The rocks help hold the soil in place and prevent it from being washed away by water or wind. Riprap can also be used to stabilize the soil around a riverbank or lakeshore, helping keep the bank and shore intact. It is common to see riprap around bridge supports, especially if the bridge is over a body of water.

For landscaping and gardening, rocks can hold the soil in place and mitigate weed growth. If you’re rockscaping, you should use the rocks in conjunction with landscape netting. The combination of rocks and landscape netting will protect the plants and minimize erosion.

Erosion Control Blankets

Erosion control blankets are laid out over areas that have been affected by erosion. These blankets are especially useful when trying to plant on hills or steep slopes. Typically, erosion control blankets are used to protect seeds from scavenging animals and prevent seeds and soil from being swept away by wind or water. In addition, erosion control blankets slow the flow of water, stopping plants and soil from being washed away. Erosion control blankets are versatile and can be adapted to fit any garden or landscape in any climate or environment.

Erosion control blankets are typically made from natural, biodegradable fibers such as coir, but they can also be made from synthetic materials. Coir erosion control blankets are especially good for slopes; the coir fibers absorb and retain water, slowing water as it flows down the slope. The adaptability of coir mats makes them a solid choice for erosion control; they can be used to support and restore banks, shores, and wetlands. Coir is an eco-friendly, organic product, and there is no waste to clean up when you use a coir mat.

Vegetation

Grass, plants, and other types of vegetation are exceptional at controlling erosion. As they grow, the roots from the grass or plants become anchored in the soil, keeping the soil in place. As a plant grows larger, its root system grows larger, and it becomes more able to secure the surrounding soil. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to use supplemental erosion control methods, but the plants themselves function as a natural way to ensure that the soil stays in place.

These erosion control methods can combat erosion in any garden or landscape. If your growing space has been affected by erosion, you should think about utilizing any of these methods to protect your plants and soil.

The Benefits of Silt Fencing

Whether you’re doing residential remodeling or working on a commercial or industrial project, making sure your site is protected is incredibly important. Many locations have laws requiring you to have erosion protection methods established before you ever break ground, as construction projects can be a cause of serious sediment flow.

Silt fencing is the most common method of protecting local waterways from any sediments disturbed by construction projects. It can be purchased with stakes already attached or with separate stakes and is occasionally buried in the ground as well to prevent water from flowing beneath the fencing. Silt fencing is also generally seen as more effective than wattles, as you can create a higher, more sustainable barrier.

Silt Fencing – the Basics

Silt fencing is usually made of synthetic materials specifically chosen to allow water to flow through while keeping sediment back. Generally, silt fencing is designed to withstand the elements wherever it’s being used; however, it’s important to remember that silt fencing is a passive filtration system and often isn’t designed to withstand a considerable weight of water. If you find water pooling more than a few feet deep in the middle of your silt fencing, you run the risk of the fencing collapsing and the filtration system failing.

Silt fencing is designed as dual-purpose protection. Not only do silt fences help with erosion control, but they’re also integral for sediment control. Silt fencing keeps sediment out of waterways and storm drains, preventing flooding issues and other problems with sediment dispersal.

Synthetic vs. Coir Silt Fencing

Coir silt fencing is a relatively new addition to the lineup of silt fencing options, which are traditionally made from synthetic geotextiles and require dismantling post-construction. Because there are often regulations regarding the type of fencing used, synthetic geotextiles are more common.

However, coir silt fencing has been growing in popularity due to its relatively low cost and sustainable nature. As coir is made from the fibers of coconut husks, it’s an all-natural product that works well on construction sites because of its practical design. Coir silt fencing is generally designed in a honeycomb-inspired sheet, which not only filters sediment from the water but can also catch small sediment pieces that may not be heavy enough to settle in front of the fence.

Coir silt fencing is also biodegradable, meaning that it requires less cleanup when construction is finished. It’s available in several customizable sizes, allowing for better ordering control. Because silt fencing is a necessary part of any construction project, it’s important to consider your options. When you can choose an option that’s eco-friendly, cost-effective, and often works better than the traditional alternative, why wouldn’t you?

Coir silt fencing is a great way to ensure sediment and erosion control at your worksite, no matter how large or small it is. And as suppliers continue to improve quality control and provide better products, coir silt fencing will continue to grow in popularity. Try it for your next construction project!

How Dewatering Bags Help With Soil Erosion

Soil erosion causes silt, sand, and dirt to collect in streams and surrounding properties. This can be damaging to landscapes and construction. To address soil erosion in these situations, dewatering bags are an economical and practical option. Dewatering bags remove sediment and silt from a site by filtering water through geotextile material. There various sizes and capacities of bags to suit your needs.

Dewatering Bag Overview

Dewatering bags are designed to filter sludge, sediment, and silt from a work site, construction site, or another field of operation. Bags are placed strategically on a site, and water is directed into them. As the water moves through the geotextile fabric of the dewatering bag, sediment is captured inside for later disposal. 

There are many benefits to dewatering bags. They remove water from silt and soil without a container, reduce waste volume, use internal pressure for dewatering, remove contaminants from water, can be used in hard-to-access locations, and are relatively easy to use. Each bag’s structural integrity and flow depends on the soil type and area.

Bags are available in different sizes and with various filter properties. Fabric ratings determine how quickly and thoroughly water can filter out, which allows you to estimate pumping rates. The capacity of dewatering bags is based on soil composition, site conditions, and use. You will only know what a dewatering bag is capable of on your site once it’s been field-tested.

Discharge Hose

Each bag is designed to handle a certain size discharge hose. This is how water is guided from the point of origin to the dewatering bag. Most bags have holes designed for a specific-size tube. Alternatively, you can make a small incision in the fabric to allow a hose to be fed through. Once placed, tie the fabric to the hose using wire, ties, ropes, or other materials to seal the entrance. 

Bag Placement

Dewatering bags are rugged but not indestructible. To get the best results from dewatering bags, it’s important to place them appropriately. Be sure to look for sharp rocks or edges before placing the bag to avoid rupturing the fabric. They are not recommended for use on steep slopes, as the bags can roll. 

It’s also a good idea to find a porous surface on which to lay the bag, as this will allow the filtered water to soak quickly into the ground. It’s also important to direct water runoff or place the bag somewhere that won’t result in further soil erosion. 

Complying With Regulations

Dewatering bags can also help your job site or location stay in compliance with both local and federal stormwater regulations. Some states and cities have regulations that differ from national guidelines, so it’s important to research these requirements before installing dewatering bags. 

When it comes to preventing and addressing soil erosion, there are a lot of products on the market. One of the easiest and most economical solutions is dewatering bags. Try dewatering bags to address soil erosion on your property, construction site, dredging area, and more.

How to Use Jute Mesh for Erosion Control

One of the biggest problems gardeners and landscapers face is erosion control. Established plants help hold soil in place, but it can be difficult to get plants to stay on a sloped bank long enough to become established. Erosion control mats are a great way to counteract this problem. Try jute mesh for erosion control in your landscaping.

What Is Jute?

Jute, also called hessian, is a natural fiber that comes from the stem of the jute plant. These plants grow mainly in India, Bangladesh, and other Asian countries. Jute is one of the most widely available natural fibers and alongside coconut coir is one of the most popular natural fibers for ropes, bags, and other materials. The fiber of jute is off-white to brown and 3-10 feet long. Jute fabrics are often called hessian cloth, gunny bags, or burlap. 

Jute Mesh

Made from the woven fibers of the jute plant, jute mesh is a biodegradable, natural, and flexible material used for temporary erosion control and selective plant establishment. Jute mesh has openings in the weaves that trap seeds and provide a protective environment for germination. This mesh allows light and water to pass through, encouraging strong plant growth and enhanced mineral content in the soil. 

Jute Mesh for Erosion Control

Jute mesh can help prevent erosion on riverbanks, embankments, slopes, and other landscape features. It is commonly applied to roadside and general landscaping, garden and plant beds, wetlands and land reclamation, and other land features prone to erosion. To use jute mesh for erosion control correctly, first you must clear away debris and excess weeds from the slope or plain where you plan to place the mesh. 

Lay the jute mesh blankets across the cleared area, securing them in place with stakes every few feet. Once you have secured the mesh, add seeds or grass to prevent erosion. Because it is a natural product, jute mesh will biodegrade within six to 12 months. As an alternative, coir blankets and mats are great natural options for erosion control, especially when you need something that lasts longer and provides more support. 

Coir for Erosion Control

Coir erosion control mats are one of the most popular options for preventing the destruction of vegetation and landscaping. Coir fiber mats and blankets can be used to stabilize a location and prevent slides. They are woven from longer coir fibers, which come from mature brown coconut husks. This particular weave leaves openings that are wide enough to let plants to take root. On average, coir mats provide solid support for up to five years, which is enough time to allow vegetation to take root, grow, and stabilize. In addition, coir blankets and mats are relatively easy to install. 

Biodegradable jute mesh and coir mats offer excellent ways to prevent soil erosion while considering the environmental impact of your garden features. They will hold soil and seedlings in place until plants are well-established to prevent erosion. Try these tips to ensure you get the most out of your jute and coir erosion control mats.