Working With Erosion Control Colorado

By Marissa Velazquez


The elements of erosion control Colorado have a goal of keeping or restoring all areas, where construction is taking place, to their natural condition. The state, city and counties work together to ensure that this will happen at any construction site that is larger than one acre or located on any type of incline. Any type of run off or sediment must be contained and cleared of any contaminants that may be picked up from the site.

When preparing a site for new construction it is natural to clear away all ground cover and vegetation prior to beginning. Before you can do that you must file concise plans with the involved state and local agencies that detail how you will prevent and control run off of sediment and soil. There are regular inspections made to enforce the plan and non-compliance will bring fines and work stoppage if not immediately corrected.

The erosive nature of rain, wind and running water are damaging to bare soil. In extreme cases you may see gulleys or slope slippage in hilly areas. Silt build up in water ways is also a problem that must be prevented. Replanting the areas is the most efficient method of protecting non-productive soil from the elements.

Road construction commonly uses straw blankets to stop or slow the erosive tendencies that come with ongoing traffic. Oils and other contaminants collect on the roadways and are washed to the sides when it rains. The blankets help to contain the contaminants and as they return to nature act as a natural fertilizer. The straw is held in place by a biodegradable webbing to prevent straw from being blown or washed away.

Spraying hydro mulch on bare soil is another method of preventing soil slippage on road sides and hilly properties. The mulch contains a gummy substance that adheres to soil and keeps it in place. There are usually seeds and fertilizer included in the mulch and germination is rapid and permanent. The original mulch consists of paper pulp, wood pulps and aspen hydro mulch. These are all biodegradable products that will not harm the soil.

Wild flowers are often added into the mixture because their root systems are deeper and have a broad base to hold them in place. The hilly areas and road sides benefit from this process because of natural yearly regeneration of flowers and the root systems that hold them. The grasses they add into the mix are specific to each area and will survive in shade or sun without care.

Another and more cost effective method is called drill seeding. This method uses tractors to lay furrows in the soil. They are equipped with a device to plant the seeds. This method also has a higher rate of success where germination is concerned because the seeds are under ground. This protects them from rain and other elements as well as helping to prevent bird and rodent foraging.

To reliably maintain the ecosystems that make Colorado so beautiful, it is important that contractors work closely with erosion control Colorado. Prevention of contaminated runoff is a small but very important part of keeping the state pristine. Free running water can carry pollution to every aspect of land and water supply. It is essential that it be contained and filtered before it reaches the public supplies.




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