Soil erosion has impacted landscapes worldwide, ranging from modest residential properties to vast forests and arid deserts. This phenomenon involves the displacement of soil particles due to the destructive forces of rainfall, wind, and melting ice. Although a natural process, human activities often accelerate its occurrence. As soil particles relocate, they initiate the formation of gullies, fissures, and excessive aridity in the soil. The repercussions extend to plants, flowers, vegetation, and crops, as the depleted soil fails to provide sufficient nutrients and vitality necessary for healthy growth.
Effective prevention of soil erosion necessitates the implementation of dedicated soil erosion control techniques. The choice of preventive measures should be tailored to the extent and seriousness of soil erosion on your property. By employing soil erosion prevention strategies, the health of the soil can be maintained, creating a conducive environment for the flourishing growth of plants and trees.
What happens when detention ponds are neglected?
Given the rate at which we experience near-record rainfall, stormwater runoff is an issue. Many Residential, as well as commercial properties, may have downspouts and parking lot drains tied into detention or amenity ponds. If those basins get backed up, water will not properly exit surfaces causing pooling—and in worst-case scenarios, you can get water backup in buildings.
First Environment Erosion Controls conducts inspections looking for signs of erosion, stress on soil embankments, debris or vegetation that blocks water flow, proper rip-rap, sediment and debris buildup, and the condition of headwalls.
You can pass a retention and detention pond inspection if you pay attention to those key areas of your commercial property’s basin.
Let’s talk more about these maintenance red flags and what maintenance steps can keep your retention or detention pond in inspection-ready condition.
Pond Maintenance
Let’s talk more about these maintenance red flags and what maintenance steps can keep your retention or detention pond in inspection-ready condition.
Prevent Erosion
The embankments of retention and detention ponds are naturally going to erode because of the way these structures work. They’re designed to catch water, which flows from the surface into the basin.
Water flow takes a toll on the ground over time. So does mowing in the same pattern, which is necessary because we always make horizontal passes with mowers on slopes for safety reasons.
When erosion occurs, soil and sediment can wash into the basin, compromise the integrity of the embankment, and impact the water quality.
Solutions – Balding embankments may require reseeding, which is ideally done in spring or fall. Rock may be added to bolster areas where erosion is a real problem. The point is to keep soil in its place, whether by planting vegetation or installing rock beds that slow the flow of surface water. Another prevention method is using concrete pavement as shown above.
Stop Critter Damage
Groundhogs burrow into the ground and disrupt the surface near inlet and outlet pipes, along embankments, and behind headwalls of retention and detention ponds. When these critters set up shop near your commercial property’s basin, they damage the ground. Then, erosion and sediment run-off can become a problem.
Rodents can be trouble-makers, too. They create holes that compromise the integrity of embankments. Meanwhile, wasps, hornets, and bees can interfere with maintenance activities.
Solutions – A critter control specialist (some pest control firms offer this service) might be necessary, but as far as fixing the damage, holes burrowed by groundhogs and rodents should be filled with rock, topdressed with soil, and reseeded.
Manage Cattails and Phragmites
Phragmites is a big word in retention and detention pond maintenance. This invasive water-loving weed can grow like mad. (The same goes for cattails, actually.) The problem is, that these invasive species can crowd out other vegetation including grass that is designed to stop erosion. And, excess vegetation taking over pond embankments does not look attractive.
Many times these basins are positioned within plain view on a commercial property. (Aesthetic appeal is not part of the inspection report; it focuses on infrastructural integrity.)
Solutions – Timing is everything when managing cattails and phragmites. If you cut them back during their growing season—which is spring through summer—then they’ll grow back fast and strong. Ideally, this vegetation management should be taken care of in winter.
Clear Blocked Inlets & Outlets
The moist environment surrounding retention and detention ponds is ripe ground for invasive vegetation. Grasses and weeds just grow faster, and it can block inlets and outlets that must remain unobstructed to ensure proper water flow into basins. This vegetation can trap debris, which also naturally tends to collect near these inflow/outflow areas because it gets trapped.
Solutions – Ongoing maintenance that includes trimming back weeds and tall grasses that block pipes will keep inlets and outlets working effectively. Debris should be removed. Watch for it regularly rather than allowing the inspector to find a reason to mark the “yes” box for requiring corrective action.
From start to finish, FEEC radiated professionalism. Their erosion control techniques not only safeguarded our environment but also added value to our property. A truly commendable service!
We can’t thank FEEC enough for their erosion control expertise. Our project faced unique challenges, but their team tackled them with confidence, leaving us impressed.
First Environment Erosion Controls turned our erosion concerns into a success story. Their well-executed strategies and friendly staff made the entire experience smooth and rewarding.
Professionalism at its best! FEEC’s erosion control methods were innovative and effective. Our project was completed seamlessly, all thanks to their expertise.
First Environment Erosion Controls’ erosion control transformed our area into a sustainable masterpiece. Their knowledgeable team worked tirelessly to ensure our land remains protected. Highly satisfied!
