Erosion Control Toolbox

Toolbox Overview

Tools

To Combine Specifications

• Sequencing

Planning & Design

• Preserve Existing Vegetation

Improve Soil Health

• Soils Testing
• Local Topsoil
• Imported Topsoil
• Roughen Soil Surface
• Stepped Slopes
• Contour Grading and Slope Rounding
• Decompact Soil
• Soil Nutrients
• Compost (Incorporate)

Improve Soil Health & Provide Cover

• Duff
• Mulch
• Compost Blanket

Short Term Cover

• Hydroseed Overview
  • Seed
  • Fiber
  • Straw
  • Tackifier
• Punched Straw
• Hydroseed
• Bonded Fiber Matrix
• RECP (Jute Mesh)

Long Term Cover

• RECP (Netting)
• RECP (Blanket)
• RECP (Turf Reinforcing Mat)

Steep Slope Techniques

• Stepped Slope
• Cellular Confinement
• RECP Flap
• RECP Flap with Brush Layering
• RECP Wrap
• Soil Filled RSP
• Wire Blanket
• Wire Mesh Confinement

Planting

• Plant Selection
• TransPlant Application
• Noxious and Invasive Species
• Drill Seed
• Dry Seed
• Willow Cuttings
• Native Grass Sod
• Liner
• Seedling
• Brush Layering

Stormwater Treatment

• Biofiltration Strip
• Biofiltration Swale

Sediment Control

• Fiber Roll
• Compost Sock

References

• Webinars
• Guidance
• Research
• Presentations
• Magazine Articles
• Specifications by Others

Imported Topsoil

What is This Treatment?

Imported topsoil is topsoil obtained from outside the project limits. Imported topsoil is typically used for highway planting projects rather than for erosion control work.

Where to Use This Treatment:

• Use to provide topsoil as a growth medium on slopes 1.5:1 (H:V) and flatter. To minimize slumping during heavy rain events, the following application rates are suggested where topsoil will not be secured by additional products such as cellular confinement or turf reinforcing mat:
  • Slopes 1.5:1 (H:V) - 2" maximum thickness.
  • Slopes 2:1 (H:V) - 3" maximum thickness.
  • Slopes 3:1 (H:V) - 4" maximum thickness.
  • Slopes ≤ 4:1 (H:V) - 6" maximum thickness.
• Typically used for Highway Planting projects. Consider using Local Topsoil for erosion control work.

Benefits:

• Reduced stormwater runoff volume and velocity.

• Improved infiltration rate.

• Improved soil water holding capacity.

• Improved soil structural properties - soil structure, porosity, and texture.

• Improved plant rooting depth.

• Improved soil chemical properties - providing proper pH, carbon, nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus levels.

• Improved soil nutrient levels and nutrient cycling.

• Improved potential for vigorous long term vegetation coverage.

Limitations:

• More costly (yet more effective) than surficial treatments such as Erosion Control (Hydroseed).

• Requires temporary storage space within the project limits to stockpile materials.

• Requires site accessibility by earthwork equipment.

Technical Information

• 1” depth = 140 cubic yards/acre.
• 3” depth = 420 cubic yards/acre.
• 6" depth = 840 cubic yards/acre.

Specifications:

• SSP 200-160 Imported Topsoil
• Caltrans Standard Specifications - Erosion Control and Highway Planting

Plans and Details:

• There is no Standard Plan required for Topsoil.

Estimate Information:

• Click here to view current awarded bid prices for Imported Topsoil.
• Use BEES code 200102 Imported Topsoil for payment by cubic yard.
• Use BEES code 200103 for Imported Topsoil for payment by ton.