Soil Erosion, Runoff, and Sedimentation

Construction Site Fact Sheet No. 1

WhatIsSoilErosion?
Soilerosionisthedetachmentandmovementofsoil
particlesbywater,wind,ice,orgravity.

WhatProblemsHappenOnConstruction
Sites?

SafetyandNuisanceIssuesSedimenton
roadwaysandintheaircancausesafetyhazards.

FloodingExcessivesedimentaccumulationin
drainagesystemscancreateblockagesthat
promoteflooding.

SedimentBuildUpSedimentthataccumulatesin
streams,lakes,andbayscanonlyberemediated
bycostlydredging.

IncreasedCostsUncontrollederosionand
sedimentationrequirescostlymaintenanceand
repair.ItischeaperandeasiertoPREVENT
erosionthantofixsedimentationproblems.

NegativePublicPerceptionObservingmuddy
waterflowingfromconstructionsitesnegatively
effectspublicperception.

WhatIsSedimentation?
Sediment is the result of erosion. Sedimentation is
the buildup of eroded soil particles that are
transported in runoff from their site of origin and
deposited in drainage systems, on other ground
surfaces,orinbodiesofwaterorwetlands.

WhyShouldICare?

ItstheLawFederal,Stateandlocalregulations
requireconstructionsitestobecompliantwiththe
CleanWaterAct.

WaterQualityErosionfromconstructionprojects
canbeanonpointsourcepollutantthat
deterioratesthehealthofourlakes,streamsand
NarragansettBay.

SoilLossMuchofthetotalsedimentlossthat
occurseachyearisgeneratedbyhighway
constructionandlanddevelopmentprojects.

QualityofLifeIfyouenjoyfishing,eatinglocal
shellfishorswimmingatoneofRhodeIslands
beautifulbeaches,thispollutioncanthreatenyour
qualityoflife.

Produced by RI Stormwater Solutions with support from the RI Department

of Transportation and the RI Department of Environmental Management.

SedimentfilledrunofffromaRIDOTconstructionsite

WhatCanBeDoneToControlSoil
Erosion,Runoff,AndSedimentation?
Install,maintain,andinspectcontrolmeasureson
yourconstructionsiteaccordingtothesites
SoilErosionandSedimentControlPlan(SESC)or
StormwaterPollutionPreventionPlan(SWPPP).

WhereCanIGetHelp?

Refertoyourconstructionprojectssitespecific
SoilErosionandSedimentControlPlan(SESC)or
StormwaterPollutionPreventionPlan(SWPPP)

RefertotheRISoilErosionandSediment
ControlHandbook
Suitablecontrolmeasuresexistforevery
conceivableerosion,runoff,andsediment
controlchallenge.TheHandbookisavailable
here:

TypesofControls
ErosionControls
Theprimarydefenseagainstsedimentpollution
InstalledtoPREVENTsedimentfrombeing
detachedbynaturalcauses
Examples:Keepingexposedsoilcoveredwith
mulchortemporaryvegetation;coveringsoil
stockpiles;slopesurfaceroughening

RIDepartmentofEnvironmentalManagement
OfficeofCustomer&TechnicalAssistance
4012226822

RunoffControls
UsedtoSLOWthevelocityofflowing
stormwater
Divertswatertowardsastabilizedoutletor
treatmentpractice
Examples:checkdams;pipeslopedrains

RIDepartmentofEnvironmentalManagement
OfficeofWaterResources4012224700

SedimentControls
TheLASTlineofdefenseagainstmoving
sediment
Preventssedimentfromleavingconstruction
sitesandenteringenvironmentallysensitive
areas
Examples:constructionentrances;sediment
traps;inletprotection

http://www.dem.ri.gov/soilerosion2014final.pdf

EvenifControlMeasuresare
correctlyinstalledandmaintained
onasiteaccordingtothe
approvedSESC/SWPPPplan,
thesiteisonlyincompliance
whenerosion,runoff,andsedimentation
areeffectivelycontrolled
throughouttheentiresite.

Filtersocksusedascheckdamstocontrolrunoff

Adapted from the Illinois Department of Transportation