Erosion control is an important part of any construction project. The USDA maintains that over 1 billion TONS of top soil are lost to erosion every year; land development and construction projects can create soil erosion, so it’s vital that you take steps to control and manage erosion on your construction jobsites. With Tucker Paving’s nearly 30 years of experience in Earthworks, Underground Utilities, Concrete and Asphalt Paving, and more in Central Florida, we know that soil erosion is an even bigger issue here in Florida. The Sunshine State’s sandy soils are quicker to wash away, especially with the area’s heavy summer rains. Soil erosion creates a slippery slope, literally and figuratively, to the point where buildings, infrastructure, and natural formations can be damaged; the eroded soil can also run into our waterways, choking out the environment with sediment. Soil erosion controls and management measures are a must.

Erosion Control and Management Options

Controlling erosion on your construction jobsite is a multistep process; you should use as many control options as necessary to stop soil erosion. This is also one of those situations where overkill is a good idea because the cost to remediate the erosion can be quite high.

Soil erosion control and management options include:

  1. Plan Ahead. Site clearing planning for any construction project should include assessing erosion control needs. Look at the area and determine (or observe it during rain, if possible) where rainwater will flow to during a rainstorm and determine what control and management options will work best. Also make sure to note where the rain will end up; if it’s into a sewer or waterway, then you will likely need to add additional control options.
  2. Disturb as Little as Possible. On most sites, every inch does not need to be cleared. Leaving trees and vegetation will help to control erosion.
  3. Use Sediment and Water Controls. Sediment controls like mulch, mats, silt fencing, filter socks, straw wattles, erosion control blankets, energy dissipators, and other anchoring devices are all made to hold soil in place, catch eroding sediment, and/or slow and disburse water runoff during or after construction. Which of the sediment controls—or which combination of sediment controls—will work best for your site is determined by factors like soil type, the slope of the ground, where sediment and water will end up, and more.
  4. Reseed and Replant ASAP. As soon as you’re able, reseed and replant the area with deep-rooted plants and trees to control erosion well into the future. You may also need to utilize additional controls like mulch, anchors that allow the plants to get established, or plastic sheeting to protect the new landscaping from heavy rains.

Tucker Paving provides site construction services, including site clearing, site grading, stabilized subgrade, base work, and underground utilities! It’s in addition to our nearly three decades in the asphalt and concrete paving industry. Contact us by calling (863) 299-2262, or fill out our contact form online, to let us help you with your next Earthworks project!