Erosion Prevention Methods

Plant Vegetation

• Those with residential landscaped gardens can plant flowers and trees over the affected soil. Plants will slow down water when it flows over the land. Most of the rainwater soaks into the ground due to the plants. The roots of the plants also work to hold the soil in position. In wetland areas, plants play a vital role in slowing the flowing water and reducing soil erosion.

Erosion Control Blankets

• Erosion control blankets help to slow down the speed of water flowing over the land. The blankets are made from synthetic and natural materials such as straw, coconut and polypropylene. Other erosion control blankets may be rolled into logs. As water moves down a slope, the rolled blankets slow down its descent.

Retaining Walls

• Commonly built on residential properties for aesthetic reasons, retaining walls prevent erosion. These structures significantly reduce the possibility of erosion from rain, gravity and wind. Retaining walls also divert collected water to dry wells and riverbeds nearby. Since fluctuations in weather and temperature can cause uneven land settlements, retaining walls prevent this from happening. Experts recommend that retaining walls be fortified with concrete or steel.

Use Mulch

• Mulch helps soil to retain moisture. Mulch slows the evaporation of water and suppresses weeds by preventing the seeds from receiving the sunlight needed to grow. Adding mulch to a garden regulates the temperature in the soil. For instance, mulch keeps soil warm in the winter and cooler during summer. Winter mulch is the most beneficial for soil erosion prevention because the potential for topsoil to wash away with snow and winter rains increases.