Sheet Flow Construction Erosion Control

October 31, 2019

Is This Silt Fence Necessary?

photo: David Jenkins

Is this silt fence necessary? Overlooking the fact that this silt fence installation needs some maintenance, I wonder if it was ever really needed in this location? The slope grades to the fence are minimal and not very long, and the roadside ditch line is graded so that water will drain away from the road.

This type of silt fence installation is appropriate at the base of long, steep slopes, or if there is risk of sediment travelling off site. Also, all of the materials used will likely be land filled and not reused, including the wire backing and the “T” posts.

If this were my site, I would have installed orange safety fence with steel “T” posts, maybe with a compost berm along the base, on the project side. The safety fence can be easily removed and reused later, and the compost could be raked into the ditch line and hydroseeded.

October 30, 2019

Open Catch Basin Fixed Again

photo: David Jenkins

As of two days ago, the open catch basin is fixed again; there is new 30 mil PVC under the catch basin grate and turbid water is not draining into the catch basin. The contractor told their staff not to puncture the PVC. No word on whether they are thinking more proactively about this. The best measure is to keep the stockpile covered and the area cleaned up. We shall see what’s next.

October 29, 2019

Open Catch Basin Open Again

Photo: David Jenkins

The saga continues… the next inspection looked like the first inspection. The open catch basin is open again. 500 + NTU water draining into the catch basin. What happened?

Photo: David Jenkins

As suspected, someone didn’t like the flooding, so they punctured the 30 mil PVC. I am wondering why the contractor erosion control lead is not finding this.

October 28, 2019

Open Catch Basin Fixed?

Photo: David Jenkins

I inspected the open catch basin the next day to see if it was fixed, and this is what the contractor had done to keep turbid water out. I have nothing against doing this, but, since this does keep water out, flooding ensues. Flooding is okay if the catch basin is in a low spot and no one needs to work in the area.

I told the contractor that they might want to look at the storm system and see if there is a point where they can install a concrete plug temporarily and use the system for conveying the turbid water to their treatment system.

October 27, 2019

Open Catch Basin

Photo: David Jenkins

I found this open catch basin during a construction erosion inspection. The turbidity of the water draining into it from the stockpile measured at over 600 NTUs. Note that there is an insert in the catch basin; these do nothing to reduce turbidity. I notified the contractor who should have found this in their daily inspections, which I pointed out to them.

October 26, 2019

Rain in the Forecast

Photo: David Jenkins

I took this photo in Yelm, Washington while visiting my kids years ago. Looks like rain in the forecast.

October 23, 2019

Concrete Pour

Always fun to watch someone else working. Photo: David Jenkins

We are constructing a large stormwater pond; this is the concrete pour for the bottom to keep vegetation from growing and attracting birds (dangerous to aircraft). The sides will be covered with heavy plastic liner, and the whole thing will be covered with a net.

Frequently, on large concrete pours, we specify that there be no truck washout on site, both to speed things up and to avoid concrete mess everywhere.

October 22, 2019

You Don’t Need Silt Fence

As this video shows, you don’t need silt fence everywhere.

October 21, 2019

“Means and Methods” vs. Best Management Practices

Demolition of landside crane rail on a shipping container terminal.

In my experience, managing contractor “means and methods” is more important than using the “right” best management practices. When turbidity is the standard for measuring water quality compliance, as in Washington state, site cleanliness is the key to prevention and compliance.

This contract requires that catch basin inserts be installed in all catch basins within the project boundaries. However, inserts are not at all effective in reducing turbidity in runoff. While removing the crane rail on this container terminal project, the contractor could clean up as the work progresses, place all material removed from the trench onto plastic for later removal, load into a Bobcat bucket, and pick up small debris with a shop vac. I can require these things in the contract that the contractor bids. It may cost extra; the extra cost may be worth it if it reduces my risk. If I tell the contractor after the contract is awarded, I will pay more.

I can also make suggestions during the work, pointing out that keeping things really clean will keep them in compliance with their NPDES permit. If framed in a way that shows benefit to the contractor, meaning reducing risk and cost, they will probably follow the suggestion.

October 18, 2019

Highway 93 Storm

Photo: David Jenkins

Storm along Highway 93 in Nevada.

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