Sheet Flow Construction Erosion Control

September 24, 2020

Biodegradable Erosion Control BMPs: Burlap Fence Compost Sock

Video: David Jenkins

Biodegradable Erosion Control BMPs: Burlap Fence Compost Sock

My goal was 100% biodegradable BMPs on this habitat restoration project. In this video I show the burlap silt fence and the compost socks.

September 8, 2020

Biodegradable Wattles

I wrote this biodegradable wattles specification for a riverbank habitat restoration project.

I wrote the last three sentences for this particular project, which has a 2:1 slope above an intertidal river. We will place 12 inches of compost before installing native plants this winter; without the wattles, wet compost will slide to the base of the slope.

BIODEGRADABLE WATTLES

  1. Wattles shall consist of 100% biodegradable straw, coir, excelsior or compost encased in 100% biodegradable fabric or mesh.
  2.  Wattles shall be a minimum of 8 inches in diameter free of cuts tears and damage.
  3. The installation of straw wattles shall be per WSDOT Standard Plan I-30.30-00 “Wattle Installation on Slope”.
  4. Wattles shall be staked in place using wooden stakes a minimum of 16 inches long.  The stakes shall be cut flush with the top of the wattles.
  5. Wattles shall be installed on the Site 25 slope above +12 elevation.
  6. Wattles shall be installed in two rows across the slope parallel to the 12 + elevation. 
  7. Rows shall be approximately 7 feet above the +12 elevation and 7 feet below the top of the slope.

September 27, 2020

Erosion Control Photos

Filed under: — Sheetflow @ 3:49 pm

All photos may be used for teaching and training purposes with attribution to: David Jenkins, sheetflow.com

Photos may not be used for commercial purposes without prior express permission from David Jenkins, sheetflow.com

January 16, 2020

Straw Blanket Netting

Photo: David Jenkins

I saw this straw blanket netting while hiking at Twanoh State Park. The access road had some erosion issues and straw blankets were installed to cover roadside cut slopes. This work was accomplished about 4 or 5 years ago. Notice that the straw is gone but the plastic netting remains. 100% biodegradable netting is the way to go.

January 10, 2020

Plastic Netting

I saw this plastic netting today while looking at site we will be working on this summer. The straw wattle was left over from a previous project, completed almost six years ago. The straw filler is almost completely degraded. The netting is partially degraded, but in places is too strong to tear apart with my fingers. We need more 100% biodegradable best management practices and less plastic netting.

Six year old straw wattle. Photo: David Jenkins
Close up of plastic netting. Photo: David Jenkins

December 25, 2019

Merry Christmas 2019

 

Merry Christmas 2019!  What do I do when I am on vacation?  Take videos of erosion control, of course!

Erosion control blanket was installed on this slope in southern Utah about 6 years ago. The biodegradable material has degraded. The photodegradable netting is still intact, seemingly just as strong as new. The slope is south-facing, the area gets over 300 days a year of sun; what’s the deal? How long will this stuff last in the environment? I only specify 100% biodegradable erosion control blankets; this is one reason why.

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