Erosion is a major problem affecting sloping terrains. 

Unfortunately, this is partly caused by outdated erosion control methods that don’t work. Read on to find out some very effective erosion control measures to mitigate soil erosion during heavy rains.

Erosion control is not as easy as most people would wish. The extent of erosion which could be assessed by geophysical surveys depends on several variables. It is difficult to address all variables at once, making erosion control hard.

Some variables are also beyond human control. 

The uniqueness of different types of erosion makes it difficult to have one erosion control method for all scenarios. There are, however, some control measures that might apply across the board. 

Best Practices to Control Erosion

There is no single erosion control method that works for all situations. Before you invest in any erosion control technique, ensure that the method will work for your landscape. Here are some almost foolproof tips to prevent soil erosion.

1. Cover Plants

Planting cover crops is a simple erosion control method you should try out first. Bare land is vulnerable to wind and water erosion. 

Native grass is a perfect cover plant. The root system of native grass helps bind the subsoil and topsoil together, thus reducing erosion. This is a fairly common landscaping tactic to keep the soil firm and at the same time it adds some beautification to your yard or garden.

Vetch, Rye, and some wheatgrass varieties are also excellent cover plants. These plants are available countrywide and are very easy to grow. They are also very ornamental and give your lawn a great look.

So before resorting to any other erosion control methods, try cover plants first. Planting cover plants is an inexpensive yet effective erosion control method.

2. Geo Products

Thanks to science, erosion control is made easier with geo products.  Geo products use specially manufactured layers that help bind soil particles together. These layers also prevent the formation of runoff streams during rainfall.

These materials utilize special cell technology to form strong layers. These geo cell products are easy to install and extremely effective in mitigating soil erosion. Check out https://www.redbudsoilcompany.com/collections/soil-amendments for more information on high quality soil.

If you want to invest in erosion control, using geo products is one control solution that is backed by science

3. Inflatable Dams

Many construction and farmers have embraced inflatable dams for erosion control. These state-of-the-art compact dams have proved effective in controlling erosion.

Inflatable dams are a great alternative to your conventional earthen dams and sandbags. They are cost-effective and easy to install. Inflatable dams work just as well as earthen bags and sandbags or even better.

These dams seal off running water from reaching your farm. In doing so, inflatable dams prevent water erosion completely. Just remember to have a plan ready to pump off the withheld water to a suitable outlet or somewhere else.

4. Controlled Excavation for Construction Projects

Remediation is a possible effect of excessively disturbing a piece of land. Frequent land disturbances increase the extent of soil erosion. It is, therefore, important to exercise moderation when excavating erosion-prone land.

Excavating in bits is always a good approach. Even though this is time-consuming, it’s a better approach than risking erosion. The costs incurred for filling eroded land by far outweighs the time spent during controlled excavation.

If your landscaping or construction project involves excavation, be sure to contact a dirt hauling company to collect the dirt and rubble from the site.

5. Soil Nails

Using soil nails is an innovative erosion control technique. Soil nails are excellent for resisting slope failures, which cause mass soil erosion.

Soil nails are a series of bars installed deeply into the soil surface. These bars contain caps at the surface and create a barrier akin to retaining walls. 

Depending on your preference, you can have these soil nails grouted in place after installation. 

6. French Drains

A French drain is a system of underground pipes. These pipes convey groundwater to an outlet away from the land. 

A French drain made up of a perforated pipe that is covered with gravel. The pipes can have a sturdy landscape material lining depending on your preference, and the gravel that you need in order to cover the pipes can be ordered from a gravel supplier. On the other hand, if you need something like a combination of stone and gravel to cover the pipes, then these can be ordered from a stone gravel supplier.

The porosity of the pipes allows excess water to seep into the ground to minimize water conveyed to the outlet. 

A great deal of work goes into installing French drains. Pre-assembled French drain units are, however, much easier to install. 

Your French drain can connect to sump pump pipes, so excess water drains to a suitable outlet.

French drains are not so cheap, but their effectiveness is a great return on investment.

7. Chippers and Mobile Grinders

Site clearance may involve uprooting a couple of trees. Trees are great at preventing erosion, so you need to compensate for tree removal.

That said, a mobile grinder or chipper helps you make mulch on the spot. Mulching makes excellent erosion control since it makes up perfectly for the removed trees.

Chippers and mobile grinders are mostly for hire. If you are a contractor, you better buy your chipper or mobile grinder.

8. Articulated Concrete Blocks

For extreme erosion cases, articulated concrete blocks are an excellent measure. These blocks come in various shapes and thicknesses to fit your erosion control demand.

The blocks are interconnected in a way that prevents soil from passing through. Though costly, articulated blocks are a permanent erosion control solution.

Choose Modern Erosion Control Methods

Innovation and technology have introduced effective erosion control methods. For instance, easy-to-install geocell products can give you long-lasting erosion control solutions.

You can also combine these methods for even better results. Remember to hire professionals if you choose any complex erosion control measures.

Depending on your location, there may be stringent codes to adhere to regarding erosion control. These regulations may also define the method of erosion control for your landscape.

If you’d like to know more about other cool construction technologies, have a look at our other articles.