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

Erosion Control (Hydroseed)

What is This Treatment?

Hydroseeding is a method of applying seed, fiber, tackifier and other materials to a site via a hydraulic spray rig.

The Erosion Control (Hydroseed) specification includes the following steps:

1. Seed and fiber are applied to slopes with a hydroseed rig.
2. Optionally straw is applied with a straw blower.
3. Fiber and tack are applied with a hydroseed rig.

Erosion Control (Hydroseed) was formerly called Erosion Control (Type D).

When to Use This Treatment:

• Use for cut and fill slopes and other disturbed soil areas.
• Typically used to treat disturbed areas larger than 0.5 acres. Consider using Erosion Control (Seeding) to hand-seed areas less than 0.5 acres.

Benefits:

• Immediate protection from surface erosion due to raindrop impact.

• Helps conserve soil moisture.

• Low initial cost compared to other treatments.

• Conforms closely to the soil surface which may result in less erosion due to surface rilling.

• Vegetation provided by seed provides long-term control of erosion.

Limitations:

• If local air quality constraints due to straw blowing may be an issue, consider substituting Erosion Control (Bonded Fiber Matrix).

• Higher application rates required for steeper slopes may inhibit germination of seed and establishment of long-term vegetation.

• Inefficient technique to treat disturbed areas less than 0.5 acres. Consider using Erosion Control (Seeding) instead.

Consider Using With:

To effectively treat sites where Erosion Control (Hydroseeding) may not stay in place, consider combining this treatment with:

• Rolled Erosion Control Product (Netting)
• Rolled Erosion Control Product (Turf Reinforcement Mat)

To effectively treat sites with poor soils (compacted, nutrient depleted, or poorly draining), consider combining this treatment with:

• Local Topsoil
• Compost (Incorporate)
• Roughen Soil Surface

Specification:

• SSP 20-040 Erosion Control (Hydroseed)
• Caltrans Standard Specifications - Erosion Control and Highway Planting

Plans and Details:

• No Standard Plan is required for Erosion Control (Hydroseed).

Estimate Information:

• Click here to view current awarded bid prices for Erosion Control (Hydroseed).
• Click here for a 1997 cost survey of Erosion Control pricing.
• Use BEES code 203031 Erosion Control (Hydroseed) for payment by sq. ft.
• Use BEES code 203032 Erosion Control (Hydroseed) for payment by acre.

Guidance:

• H. Dana Bowers, et al. 1947. Erosion Control on California State Highways
• California Department of Transportation, "TransPlant Seed and Plant Selection Tool", August 2009.
• California Department of Transportation, "Roadside Erosion Control Management Study (RECM)", May 2008.
• California Department of Transportation, "Effective Planting Techniques to Minimize Erosion", January 2004.

External Links:

• David Steinfield, Scott Riley, Kim Wilkinson, Thomas D. Landis, Lee Riley, et al. 2007. "Roadside Revegetation, An Integrated Approach to Establishing Native Plants" Accessed 2009-07-16
  • Chapter 6.1 Vegetation Analysis
  • Chapter 10.3.2 Hydroseeding
• Michael Hogan, 2009. "Sediment Source Control Handbook, An Adaptive Approach to Restoration of Disturbed Areas" Accessed 2009-07-16.
  • Toolkit Tool 11 - Vegetative Treatments
• Dirt Time "Straw Types" Video from watchyourdirt.com