Geotextiles for Erosion Control

Erosion caused by earth movement is a significant source of sediment pollution. Sediment and pollutants leave construction sites, enter storm sewers or public rights-of-way, and can impact surrounding plants and animals.

Erosion Control Charleston SC measures keeps eroding soil on site to minimize pollution and protect buildings, roads, yards, and natural areas. Erosion prevention also minimizes the expense of repairing erosion damage.

Plants are crucial for erosion control as they bind the soil and create cover, which helps keep wind and water from disturbing the topsoil. They also help to absorb and reduce runoff by reducing the amount of water that is lost through evaporation. Plants also provide shade, which reduces the sun’s harsh effects on the soil.

Cover crops like vetch, rye, and clover are excellent choices for soil erosion control because they send out nets of roots that keep the topsoil in place. They also reduce competition from weeds, which helps the underlying soil recover its tilth and nutrient density. Other ground covers include oats, wheat, and barley. The native perennial grass timothy, which grows in clumps and does well on steep slopes, is another good choice for erosion control. It has a very deep root system that binds the soil and can be mowed without damaging it.

Many types of plants can be used for erosion control, but natives are preferred because they are primed to grow in the area and are adapted to local climate conditions. Grasses are effective for erosion control because they grow rapidly and are very tough. They are easy to maintain because they can be mowed with standard lawn mowers and kept at a reasonable height for the best results.

Shrubs and trees can also be used to help with erosion control. Some shrubs that are great for this purpose include the quaking aspen, western red cedar, and sugar maple. These trees offer a shady grove to offset erosion, and their deep roots stabilize several layers of soil and rock. Other options for slopes include the arrowwood viburnum, Viburnum dentatum, with white flowers in early spring and blue to black berries in fall, and the maple-leaf viburnum, Viburnum acerifolium.

If you want to try to stop erosion on your property, contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District. They are trained to assist landowners with erosion problems and can give you more specific advice. They can also refer you to contractors or other professionals that can help you with your project.

Blankets

Erosion control blankets (also known as mats) are woven from a particular material that slows down the speed of water when it moves across the surface. They can be made from either natural or synthetic materials, with some being a combination of both. Most are very thick and come with a lot of obstructions or ridges to help with this process.

These blankets can be placed on slopes to stop soil or sand shifting and promote vegetation growth. They are also useful in preventing erosion when construction or excavation work is done on sites that are sensitive to rainwater runoff. They can be used on a variety of projects, including roads, railways, mines, or any other type of project that may cause erosion.

In order to get the most out of an erosion control blanket, it is important that the area be inspected prior to laying it down. This inspection needs to take into account staking patterns, anchor slot backfill, soil contact, overlaps, and proper shingling (upslope ECB edges lap over downslope blanket edges).

There are different types of erosion control blankets on the market, some more durable than others. For example, high-velocity blankets are specially woven for shear resistance and are typically UV-treated.

These are perfect for areas with shear stresses that require a stronger product or where the performance thresholds of biodegradable products cannot be met. They are made from non-biodegradable materials like synthetic fibers, netting, and wire mesh.

More traditional, long-term erosion control blankets are often made from straw or jute and are held together with a layer of synthetic netting. These are better suited to more permanent projects and can last for up to 10 years.

There are also accelerated erosion control blankets that decompose much quicker and are ideal for short-term applications. These are often made from a mixture of straw, jute, and superior products that are tightly woven with a layer of netting. They are delivered rolled up and unrolled where needed. They are great for stopping soil or sand shift on slopes, steep dunes, and other types of erosion control projects.

Mulch

Mulching is a common practice for gardeners, landscapers, and farmers. It protects the soil from erosion, helps keep the plants and soil cool, and prevents weed growth. Mulch also adds nutrients to the soil and improves its structure. Mulching can be done using organic materials, such as compost, leaves, grass clippings, straw, and woody mulches, or inorganic materials, like plastic, gravel, and stone.

Mulch is important for preventing soil erosion, especially in windy regions. The material can slow down the beating action of raindrops or alleviate the heavy weight on the soil from farm implements and machinery. It can also increase the aggregation of soil particles and prevent their fragmentation (Samarappuli and Yogaratnam 1984).

The use of mulch can reduce the number of weeds and increase the survival rate of crop plants. Weeds are a major problem in agriculture, and they can decrease the productivity of crops. A layer of mulch can help reduce the weed population by depriving them of bare ground and preventing sunlight from reaching the soil (Kader et al. 2019).

A layer of mulch can keep the roots of plants and trees cool and moist, which in turn promotes their growth. It can also prevent the soil from getting too hot or dry, which could otherwise damage plants and cause nutrient deficiencies. Moreover, mulch can protect the soil from the harsh effects of winter as it insulates the roots and keeps them warm.

It is best to apply a layer of mulch around new plantings in the spring and autumn. This is because weeds are not yet established and herbaceous plants are dormant. It is also a good idea to apply the material around trees and shrubs. However, it is essential not to smother low-growing plants or pile the mulch up against the base of woody plants, as this can lead to trunk rot and disease.

The type of mulch you choose will depend on your needs and budget. If you are looking for a natural and cost-effective option, consider using organic materials like compost, leaves, grass clippings, or shredded bark. Make sure to get it from a reputable supplier, as uncomposted organics can contain pathogens that can infect the soil and kill crops.

Geotextiles

Water erosion can be catastrophic when it is the result of a sudden event, such as a hurricane or tornado, but more often it occurs slowly over years as wind and surface water eat away at soil and damage land and structures. To slow erosion and protect plants, buildings, roads, railroads, and other infrastructure, engineers use a wide range of products, including geotextiles. These textiles are woven or non-woven fabrics made of synthetic and natural fibers and used in construction projects to add strength, stability, and permeability to soil. They are most commonly used in erosion control applications, such as protecting the surface of slopes, reinforcing berms and walls, and strengthening soft soil foundations.

Depending on the application, different types of geotextiles are used for separation, filtration, drainage, reinforcement, sealing, and protection. There are many advantages to using these products, such as their durability, low cost, high tensile strength, and good drape ability. They are available in both natural and manmade fibers, with the most common being polypropylene and polyester. The different geotextiles are also produced by different methods, with woven being the most popular for road stabilization projects on soft soils, whereas needle punched and non-woven thermally bonded are better suited for drainage and filtration applications.

Another benefit of these products is that they help to retain soil particles and improve the surface microclimate, which is essential for seed germination and vegetation growth. In addition, they improve the overall drainage of the soil, reducing the amount of water that is lost along the surface. They are also used to protect seeds along slopes during the early stages of vegetation establishment (Bergado & Soralump, 1999).

In general, these products have excellent mechanical properties, such as tensile modulus and tensile strength, which means that they can be a useful replacement for traditional granular soil filters due to their higher open area. Additionally, they can be a more economical choice than sand or gravel when the requirements are lower in terms of permeability and strength. If you have questions about the type of geotextile best suited for your project, please contact your local Team EJP marketing representative, who can assist you in making the right product selection.