Working on a construction site has enough challenges as it is. When it’s on a slope, you have an additional responsibility: erosion control. Learn what steps to take to keep your grounds in perfect condition.
How To Implement Hillside Erosion Control
To safeguard your construction site from erosion, try a combination of the following.
Use Plants
A simple way to control erosion is to use plants or cover crops. The right kind of plantings significantly reduces runoff water on your construction site. Trees and bushes help with their deep roots to supplement the soil and their leaves protect from heavy rainfall. Be sure to choose appropriate plantings for your growing zone; shield your slope as much as possible with grasses or other broadleaf species.
Build a Garden Terrace
Construction sites sitting on an incline make them prone to a faster rate of erosion. To stop runoff water from streaming downhill, create garden terraces or plateaus using organic matter like logs, brush, and wooden stakes. Use these stacked terraces to plant cover crops to keep the soil compact and add to its nutrient content.
Use the Sandbag Method
Divert rainwater and debris by stacking sandbags around the perimeter of your site. Choose between a stair-step or overlapping formation to keep storms from having a major effect on your construction site. Preparation is simpler with at least two people. Fill the sandbags with one part sand and one part soil. These are meant for temporary use, as they redirect the water from the property but won’t completely seal it out.
Build Retaining Walls
For a solution that looks good and is functional, opt for retaining walls. This method allows you to create “zones” for your sloped construction site. Retaining walls hold back soil and create flower and plant beds too, adding curb appeal to the property.
Lay Erosion Control Matting
If you discover a thick layer of rock underneath the soil, it won’t support vegetation early on. First, you have to build up the thin soil and support it for a few seasons before anything can grow there. During this process, use erosion control matting. They’re biodegradable, which means they soak into the soil and provide nourishment in addition to protection.
Factors To Consider for Slope Erosion Prevention
The condition of land on construction sites determines the erosion control method you should use, because not all slopes and hillsides are the same. Before making a decision, consider the following factors:
- The Incline: If the slope is less than 33%, mulch will suffice to keep the soil secure, and protect topsoil from degradation. If the slope is greater than 33%, consider the slope’s accessibility and how much planting you can do.
- Drainage: To measure the drainage on a slope, dig a hole and fill it with water. Check back in one to two hours; if there’s no water left, natural drainage is good. If the water is still in the hole two to three days later, that means there’s rock instead of soil underneath the surface, which will lead to erosion.
- Sunny or Shady: If you’re using cover vegetation to secure the soil with rocks, litter, or moss, make sure the plants will thrive on both sunny and cloudy days.
Go over these and other key factors and then decide on the most beneficial erosion control method for your hillside or construction site.
Why Is Erosion Control Important on Sloped Construction Sites?
Erosion refers to the displacement of soil from one area to another, and it is especially problematic on construction sites. Steep slopes that have no vegetation are vulnerable to erosion, which wreak havoc on the landscape and the surrounding infrastructure. Much the same can be said about areas with excessive rainfall. Water dislodges soil particles and carries them downhill, which destabilizes the slope.
Planning erosion control early on avoids disruptions due to hill erosion repair.
Why Is Erosion Control Important on Sloped Construction Sites?
Your construction company is diligent and forward thinking, and maintaining that reputation is important to you. Varsity Inc. understands that you take pride in the work your company is known for, so we contribute to its professional image. Our experienced landscaping and erosion control specialists help mobilize a plan perfect for your project. You don’t need to figure out how to stop erosion on a hill by yourself. Call our experts to perform a job well done that we can all be proud of.
Varsity Inc. has been providing a full range of landscape related services to the Northeast commercial and industrial markets since 1974.
