Efficiency of Erosion Control Practices of the Virginia Department of Highways and Transportation: Final Report

About the report:

Twelve streams affected by highway construction were monitored to ascertain the effectiveness of the Virginia Department of Highways and Transportation's erosion and sediment control practices. The streams were located throughout Virginia in areas having different types of soil; viz., silts, sands, and clays. The results of the study indicate that the proper installation of erosion and sediment control measures prior to undertaking earthwork is very important. Also, proper maintenance of these measures until permanent vegetation is well established is critical in controlling silt. On a seasonal basis the need for control measures is more critical in the early spring and fall than at other times. Where stream work is unavoidable and the stream ecology will not be affected, in-stream structures such as rock check dams were determined to retain silt generated by construction activities. However, further work to determine the effects of these structures on the stream ecology is recommended before their use is made a standard practice.

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