What is the most effective way to stabilize a slope?

Erosion happens when soil is displaced. There are lots of reasons erosion occurs including human and natural forces. 

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&#;While geological or natural erosion can produce nearly thirty (30) percent of the total sediment in the United States, accelerated or &#;man-made&#; soil erosion accounts for the other seventy (70) percent of sedimentation found in the U.S. Activities ranging from surface mining, forestry, agriculture and construction are all actions which influence accelerated erosion.&#; &#; Stormwater One

Often, wind and water cause erosion. When erosion occurs, property can be damaged or lost. In order to maintain and protect property as well as natural habitats, erosion control methods are sometimes necessary. Here, we will explain some slope and shoreline stabilization techniques to prevent and control erosion.

What are useful erosion control solutions?

The only permanent erosion control solution is replanting. When people remove vegetation, erosion is much more likely to occur. This is because plant root systems help hold soil in place. Along the coasts, property owners frequently remove unwanted vegetation in order to create a more ideal beach. Unfortunately this results in worsened erosion and property damage. Because replanting is not immediate, other temporary solutions are often needed while the root systems develop. 

No single erosion control method will work for all situations. Make sure to look into the geography and climate in your region before investing in one specific erosion control method. These methods are also often used in combination to create a more effective erosion control system.

Filter Socks (Compost Filter Socks)

Filter Socks are mesh tubes that work to trap pollutants from stormwater and can be used for slope stabilization on slopes that are as steep as 2:1. They can be used in many applications including: sediment control, as a dam to prevent soil erosion, storm drains, slope interruption, and more.

Superior Groundcover uses 100% organic materials for all erosion control and Terraseeding® applications. Filtrexx® compost filter socks are used for sediment control, slope protection, stream bank and shoreline stabilization, and vegetated retaining walls. Tired of trenching a silt fence? Try our filter socks on for size!

Stream Bank Stabilization & Lake Bank Stabilization

Stream bank stabilization refers to the restoration and protection of banks in streams, lakes, and other channels as a result of erosion. Typically this is done by planting vegetation, soil bioengineering, and other structural systems.

When choosing a bank stabilization method, consider the sustainability of the method, the required maintenance, and the impact on the natural environment including the water quality.

Vegetative plantings of trees and other deep-rooted plant species is a great bank stabilization method that is environmentally-friendly, permanent, and low maintenance. 

We repair stream banks and shorelines the natural way.  Our shoreline erosion control system uses compost filter socks, which are organic, vegetated, quickly installed, and require no heavy equipment or excavation for installation.  This system allows vegetation to grow from the inside out to create a natural anchor between the bank and the stabilization system.  This system is also completely customizable, and many vegetation options are available to meet your needs.

Applications:

• &#; Creek, stream, and riparian bank stabilization

• &#; Pond and lake shoreline stabilization

• &#; Sediment and stormwater retention/detention pond bank slope stabilization

Erosion Control Methods for Slope Stabilization

On steep slopes, erosion is more likely to occur. Slope stabilization is highly important because an eroded slope can become barren. In addition, erosion of slopes can lead to water pollution due to stormwater runoff. 

In order to prevent slope erosion, plant grass and other vegetation. Grasses are great for slope stabilization because of their roots. They also absorb rainwater and other precipitation, making water erosion less common.

Erosion control blankets work to add vegetation to slopes. Superior&#;s Compost Erosion Control Blanket combines nutrient-rich compost mixed with high-quality seed to create the perfect environment for quick vegetation establishment and slope stabilization. 

Superior&#;s erosion control solutions outperform traditional straw blankets, straw matting, silt fence, and other traditional erosion control methods. Compost offers natural erosion control and protection, adds organic matter directly to the soil, offers superior water infiltration, and increases aeration in any soil type.

Erosion Control Landscaping Methods

In landscaping, plants are also used for erosion control. Some of the best plants for erosion control include fast-growing plants and plants that thrive in less than ideal soil conditions. 

Best Plants for Erosion Control in Michigan:

• Iris Cristata

• Cleft Phlox

• Sumac

• Prairie Grass

• American Beach Grass

• Alsike Clover

• Lupine

• Medium Red Clover

• White Dutch Clover

• Black-Eyed Susan

• Milkweed

• Wild Bergamot

Michigan.gov has an in-depth guide on Vegetative Erosion Control Guidelines:
https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/AppendixE-VegetativeErosionControl__7.pdf

Retaining walls

Retaining walls are an effective way to control erosion on slopes. Retaining walls work by creating stepped flat surfaces instead of a long slope. On the flat surfaces, water can soak in versus flow down and cause erosion. 

Visit our crushed concrete blog post to learn more about how to DIY install a retaining wall. 

What are techniques to control soil erosion in hilly areas?

The main ways to control erosion in hilly areas are replanting vegetation and contour ploughing.

Superior uses erosion control blankets in order to speed up the vegetation growth and stop erosion faster.

Contour ploughing is the practice of ploughing at right angles, perpendicular to the slope along the hill&#;s contours. This helps stop water from flowing straight down the hill and prevent erosion.

What are methods of slope stabilization?

Slope stabilization methods can be categorized into the following categories:

1. Decreasing erosion forces
   Erosion is caused by natural and human forces. The two main ways to decrease the driving forces of erosion include changing the geometry of the slope and reducing groundwater.
2. Increasing erosion resistance
   These methods include changing the geometry of the slope, reducing groundwater, and increasing the strength of the soil.
3. Surface stabilization

4. Soil Improvement
   

   Soil improvement can be done through consolidation, soil reinforcement, or bioengineering.
5. Retaining systems
   Retaining systems for slope stability include MSE walls, gravity walls, soldier beams, tangent pile walls, and secant pile walls.
   

   https://westernforestry.org/wp-content/uploads//04/05-LandslideRepairMitigation_SlopeStability.pdf

What are the best ways to stop lakeshore erosion?

Like slopes, shorelines are at a high risk of erosion. In Michigan, we are seeing the severe effects of rising water levels and shoreline erosion. There are long-term prevention methods for shoreline erosion, but often, shoreline erosion is an emergency and requires an immediate solution. With property and safety at risk, quicker shoreline erosion control methods may be necessary. 

&#;In the past, much of the focus of shoreline erosion and its control has been on the coastlines of the oceans and the Great Lakes, where erosion has the potential to be most severe and have catastrophic consequences. The approach has often been one of pure structural engineering, without considering the influence of, or impact to, ecological systems. &#; &#;Watershed Council: Understanding, Living With, and Controlling Shoreline Erosion: A Guidebook for Shoreline Property Owners Third Edition

We have an in-depth article on shoreline erosion, the causes, and prevention methods on our blog.

To stop lakeshore erosion, start with prevention. Make sure your home or structure is at least 100 feet away from the lake. Do not remove any vegetation including trees and other native plants. Only create impervious surfaces (driveways, sidewalks) when necessary.

Soft-Armoring (Bio-engineering) is a shoreline erosion solution that is an alternative to seawalls. Soft-armoring supports the natural environment and protects property.

Rip-Rap is the use of large rocks or concrete blocks to form a graded seawall. The rocks absorb wave energy, reducing the impact on the shore. 

You will get efficient and thoughtful service from Haoshun Wire Mesh Manufacturing.

Seawalls are another shoreline erosion control method. Seawalls should really only be used in emergency situations as they are highly detrimental to the lake environment and cause worsened erosion on the long-term. Our Sand Slinger Trucks allow us to efficiently install sand backfill behind seawalls. See how seawall installation works. 

The Michigan Shoreline Partnership offers shoreline erosion guides that pertain to this region.

What is the best material for a retaining wall?

Retaining walls can vary vastly in design, size, and material depending on the location and the erosion situation. When choosing a material for your retaining wall, consider the look of the surrounding landscape, the budget, and the purpose of the wall. 

Materials for retaining walls:

• Concrete Blocks

• Stone Veneer

• Poured Concrete

• Brick

• Wood

• Boulders / Rock

• Crushed Concrete

What is the importance of soil conservation?

Soil Conservation is the practice of preventing erosion and preserving soil fertility. Erosion is an issue for the environment because when topsoil is displaced, essential nutrients are lost, resulting in the inability for plants to grow. Additionally, when the topsoil moves, it can end up in our water systems. Topsoil often contains pesticides and other chemicals that are dangerous to humans and animals. Soil conservation uses different erosion control techniques. 

Soil conservation is threatened by many different human activities including slash and burn farming, land overuse, and chemical contamination.

Soil Conservation Techniques

Soil Conservation techniques are environmentally-friendly techniques for farming that help prevent erosion. These methods include no-till farming, crop rotation, terrace farming, windbreaks, and the use of earthworms.

When should I start worrying about my shoreline or slope erosion?

&#;Many people in our society do not accept the moveable nature of shoreline property, but rather seem to expect that shorelines will be permanently fixed in perpetuity and recorded as such in land titles, similar to other surveyed property boundaries. Unfortunately, nature&#;s dynamic equilibrium and human expectations as well as our efforts to control it are often a poor mix.&#; &#;Watershed Council https://www.watershedcouncil.org/uploads/7/2/5/1//shoreline_erosion_3rd_edition.pdf

If you live along a shoreline or have property on a slope, the time to act on erosion control is immediately. Prevention is always the best method. Once erosion becomes noticeable and begins to create issues, emergency methods will be required. 

Care for your property according to the recommendations of your region and do not remove native vegetation.

What are the warning signs?

If vegetation has been removed, water levels are rising, or heavy precipitation has begun to cause runoff, erosion is impending. Erosion is a natural occurrence that is necessary and expected, however, human activities and weather events can lead to worsened conditions. 

Climate change has caused severely high water levels in the Great Lakes resulting in massive property loss. Because we know that erosion will occur, and we are living in a time when erosion is worsened due to human activities, the time to &#;worry&#; about shoreline and slope erosion is now. 

A major warning sign is the water level. When water levels are high, waves are much closer to property and hit the shoreline with higher energy.

&#;The best way to identify and assess erosion problems is to check shorelines regularly and be observant of changing conditions. Warning signs of accelerated erosion problems include: 

• A large area of bare soil along the shore, especially on a steep, high shoreline bank; 

• Large or small gullies caused by overland runoff along the shoreline; 

• A noticeable recession of the shoreline over a period of time; 

• Leaning or downed trees with exposed roots on the shoreline; 

• Large patches of unusually cloudy (turbid) water near a lakeshore, or unusually high stream turbidity, especially during periods of high water; 

• Excessive deposits of sand or other sediments on the streambed, or very wide, shallow areas of a stream.&#; 

  &#;Watershed Council

  https://www.watershedcouncil.org/uploads/7/2/5/1//shoreline_erosion_3rd_edition.pdf

Will Lake Michigan recede?

Water levels rise and fall naturally throughout the years. However, today&#;s water levels in the Great Lakes are more than record-breaking. Climate change is causing extreme changes to the lakes and revealing that many people have built far too close to the water. Erosion control methods can only go so far. 

At this point &#; in June &#; water levels are climbing higher still. Lake Michigan and Lake Huron are expected to break more records next month and possibly beyond. While we can expect the levels to lower at some point, we don&#;t know when that point will be. According to data from the Army Corps of Engineers, it could be years before water levels recede.

If you own a property that features significant variations in topography, there is a good chance that you could benefit from slope stabilization. Fortunately, there are several reliable slope stabilization methods out there for you to choose from.

In this article, we&#;ll detail the main ways to stabilize a slope&#;but before we do that, let&#;s discuss the reason why slope stabilization is necessary in the first place.

Why Is Slope Stabilization Necessary?

Before considering the specific method or methods you should use to stabilize a slope, you should know why this practice is necessary. Over time, water, wind, and other forces of nature act upon a slope, causing it to erode.

As your slope erodes, the soil that comprises it will loosen and begin to slide down the slope. This effect is especially impactful for steeper slopes and slopes that feature no stabilization measures. In extreme scenarios, this erosion will not only be an eyesore, but will also pose some safety concerns as well, which we will detail later in this article.

Simply put, the overall longevity and attractiveness of the slopes on your property depend on the slope stabilization methods you decide to use. The best way to ensure your slope is as stable as possible is to learn about and implement one of the approaches in the section to follow.

Top Slope Stabilization Methods

If you have noticed the slopes in your yard beginning to erode, it is better to intervene with slope stabilization sooner rather than later. Each of the methods in the following passages will work well in isolation. However, you should know that slope stabilization is most effective when you combine multiple methods.

Regrading Your Slope

At times, the solution to an unstable slope is as simple as regrading the slope itself to be less steep. Reducing the steepness of the slope also reduces the erosive impact that flowing surface water can have on it.

The grading process is nothing more than moving soil from one area to another. If you have the horizontal distance available to lessen the degree of your slope, this is the simplest solution you can use.

With that said, regrading a slope is not always an option&#;especially if your steep slope is in an area with limited space to grade the soil in. As such, you&#;ll likely need to consider one of the following slope stabilization techniques instead.

Adding Drainage To Your Slope

Another excellent way to reduce the erosion that happens on your slope is to implement a drainage system. Since flowing water is one of the most common causes of slope instability, drainage is one of the most logical interventions you can utilize.

As water flows down a hill, it picks up speed and becomes increasingly capable of causing erosion. The longer a slope is, the more time and distance the water has to increase its speed and the extent of the erosion it causes.

Installing a drainage channel (such as a French drain) to run along the length of your hill will help convey that water away from the slope. By using a French drain to intercept surface water part of the way down a slope, you can reduce the overall erosion that occurs during each rainfall.

Planting Your Slope

One of the most dependable ways to stabilize a slope is by planting it. Plant roots do an incredible job of clinging to the soil as they spread and hold the soil in place.

You&#;ll find that some plants are more capable of stabilizing a slope than others. For instance, creeping ground covers, turf, and vines are all popular slope planting options.

Additionally, you&#;ll want to consider adding plants to any other slope stability measures you take. Allowing those plants to spread freely over the slope will lower the odds that erosion will continue to disturb your soil in the future.

Building a Retaining Wall

Our next slope stabilization method requires more construction time and higher costs, but also proves to be one of the most effective. For many unstable slopes, a soundly-constructed retaining wall is the ideal solution.

Retaining walls have an amazing ability to hold soil in place, and can support a surprising amount of weight as well. In addition, the components of a retaining wall help improve drainage in the entire area.

Building a retaining wall is a significant project. As such, it is always best to hire a professional team with construction experience to build your retaining wall properly.

What Happens If You Don&#;t Stabilize a Slope?

If you choose not to stabilize your eroding slope, you can rest assured that the problem will only get worse. As time presses on, more and more water will pour over the slope, causing the instability to worsen.

An eroding slope can cause a mess by depositing soil and small stones in the areas below the slope. Eroding slopes are also visually unappealing, which detracts from any natural beauty on your property.

Unstable slopes can also be a safety hazard. If anyone needs to walk on your unstable slope for maintenance or other purposes, the looseness of the soil can cause them to slip and fall.

In extreme cases, an eroding slope that continues to worsen can eventually cause a landslide. If this occurs, any people or structures below the slope will be in significant danger. To avoid that ever being the case, adopting one of the slope stabilization methods listed in the section above is the action you should take.

What Will It Take To Make Your Slope Stable?

If you are new to the concept of slope stabilization, it can be difficult to determine which stabilization method is best for you. Thankfully, there are plenty of professionals who are prepared to assist you.

If you live in Southern California, Arizona, or Nevada and you have an eroding slope, then Dalinghaus Construction is here to help! Reach out today to learn about our experience and the many services we can offer you.

The company is the world’s best Slope Protection Net supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.