Erosion: Preventing the Great Terrain Robbery

Yes, we can expect our winter rains to create our usual mud slides, especially with predictions of "La Nina" coming with extremely wet weather. It is well known that the best solution to erosion are preventive measures, and you can still plant soil-holding groundcovers that may help.

This time of year you may want to utilize jute netting along with any planting. Jute netting will help hold the soil until the groundcover grows over it. The netting will eventually decompose. Groundcover choices may include things like African daisy, trialing gazania or even ivy. Native groundcovers include trailing ceanothus, manzanita, wild strawberry, rock rose or California fuchsia. There are even trees suited for erosion control. They include birch, cedar, alder, fir and redwoods.

Seeding with grass is another choice. For a quick, temporary solution, annual ryegrass seed can be planted. Be aware that it is only an annual grass and needs to be planted with a permanent solution after we get through the winter. More permanent grasses include mixtures of barley, rye and fescue. Other alternatives may come in the form of plastic. Sold in rolls, plastic can be spread over slopes and hillsides to carry water down rather than letting excess water form rills or gullies over soil. Other possibilities include straw, hay, bark, wood chips or rock. Caution against wind, however, should be taken when using straw or hay. This can be done by "punching" it well into the soil with a spade every few inches or by covering with a staked-down netting of wire.

Another important factor is proper drainage. Drainage ditches to divert water flow from the top of slopes will go a long way toward avoiding complete saturation of soil. Hardware stores sell a variety of corrugated plastic drainage pipes to carry water to safe areas.

It can not be overemphasized that erosion and subsequent landslides are the most unpredictable critical soil problems. Consequently, there are no guarantees in their controls except to mention that the hazard or risk can be reduced if conservation practices are properly applied.

Prevent "The Great Terrain Robbery" by trying some of these solutions now!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For more information, check out the Internation Erosion Control Association at: www.ieca.org
Erosion control headquarters is at: www.constr.com/erosion/index.htm

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