Erosion control help: Just a click away

摘要

Does the idea of designing and specifying erosion control products ever seem too daunting? Do you worry about where to start and how to make sure you are creating accurate and effective designs? Designing for erosion control does not have to be stressful. Many resources can help. Handbooks from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) provide guidance in analyzing accurate channel and slope designs. These methodologies use a calculated soil loss value versus a tolerable soil loss value. But while very detailed and offering excellent design results, these publications can be difficult to wade through. Software programs can simplify these methodologies into a user-friendly format. One such program features design modules for slope and channel applications as well as a module for basic vegetation selection. To start designing you have to understand the project site parameters: for a channel application, the channel dimensions and grade, discharge rates, and soil type; for a slope, project location, slope length and grade, and soil type. For both applications, it is also pertinent to know if the site is suitable for growing vegetation, and more specifically the type and density of vegetation for the matured site.