Erosion Control TechniquesContoursare imaginary lines that follow equal elevation points on your landscape. By creating a ditch or swale along the contour, water will spread laterally in the ditch

and soak into the soil, instead of fl owing downhill and eroding the slope.

Swalesare the depression or ditch you can dig to move rainfall to a desired location. Because water collects here, swales are a great place to plant trees, shrubs or non-xeric plants.

Surge basinscollect large amounts of water, such as rainfall from downspouts and the run-off from hard-scapes such as paved driveways or patios. Because surge basins are designed for high-capacity surges, they need to slow the water’s speed. For best results, locate the surge basin

away from your home’s foundation. Line it with a geosynthetic fabric and secure it on the ground with landscape staples. This fabric will keep the water from undercutting the soil beneath decorative rock or another suitable material. Using rocks also slows the speed of the water. In areas of slow moving water, the fabric can be omitted and an organic mulch used instead.

Spongesare buried organic materials that will absorb water and retain it where it can benefi t plants. Following your contours, dig a trench that is 8 to 12 inches deep and 4 to 6 inches wide. Fill that trench with a fl ake from a straw bale, fi lling back in with the original soil. Sponges made from straw, compost, even newspaper or old telephone books will absorb many gallons of water, controlling runoff and providing an ideal planting environment for many years. Steeper slopes can be lined with entire bales, staked into place.

Mulchcan also be an effective erosion control material. Fibrous, woody mulches work best in our area’s heavy but infrequent downpours. Lighter weight mulches such as crushed nut shells or fi nely shredded bark or leaves often wash away. Mulches not only absorb water, but act as tiny dams to slow the speed of water. By keeping water in the soil, native plants can be established and their root systems will also stabilize the ground.

Boomerangsare small half-circle mounds of dirt on the downhill side

of shrubs or trees. These allow water to be trapped where the plant can use it, instead of running downhill and gathering speed as it travels.

Overflowsare channels that would allow rising water in the surge basin to have an appropriate, controlled exit. Overfl ows should be placed to deliberately take this water to a place you want it in your landscaping, and should be lined with fabric and rock.

ErosionControl

Protect Your Property

SafeguardThe Environment

Erosion from wind and rain can cause damage to your property. It also creates sediment that is discharged into

our drainage systems and waterways. Storm runoff carries sediment and pollutants to the Rio Grande, and causes local governments to spend money to clean streets and repair bridges. At SSCAFCA, we encourage all property owners to implement erosion-control measures.

When you incorporate these measures, you can minimize or eliminate the damage caused to your property by erosion. By keeping rainfall on your property, you can prevent it from causing erosion to your soil or neighboring properties, as well as prevent sediment and pollutants from reaching the Rio Grande River. When properly controlled and utilized, rainfall can be used to irrigate landscaping, instead of using our aquifer’s supply of water. Every gallon harvested for landscape use is a gallon saved from the aquifer.

While there are companies and consultants who you can contact for erosion control, many homeowners can resolve problems using the techniques listed in this brochure.

Erosion from wind and rain can cause damage to your property. It also creates sediment that is discharged into

505-892-RAIN (7246)

ErosionResources

New Mexico Offi ce of the State EngineerWater Conservation Program1-800-Water-NMwww.ose.state.nm.us

City of Rio RanchoPublic Works Department(505) 891-5016www.ci.rio-rancho.nm.us

Sandoval County CooperativeExtension Service1-800-678-1802http://sandovalextension.nmsu.edu

Albuquerque Bernalillo CountyWater Utility Authority(505) 768-2500www.abcwua.org

SoilutionsPhoto Credit: Jim Brooks

(505) 877-0220www.soilutions.net

www.sscafca.com