An evaluation of the use and effectiveness of temporary sediment controls

An inventory of temporary runoff controls installed on Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) construction sites indicated that rock berms and silt fences were the most commonly used erosion and sediment controls on construction sites. Sediment ponds, the most inexpensive control on a cost-per-area basis, were used more frequently in the earlier stages of construction. Erosion control blankets, the most expensive control, tended to be used in the later phases of construction. A field evaluation of the efficiency of silt fences in removing sediment carried in runoff from highway construction sites showed that sediment was removed by settling rather than by filtration. Geotextile silt fences proved to be ineffective in reducing turbidity. Monitoring of a single rock berm showed negligible suspended solids removal. High sediment removal efficiencies were achieved with silt fences in flume studies. Mean sediment removal efficiency in the flume was highly correlated with the detention time of the runoff. The flow rates of sediment-laden runoff through the control sections were two orders of magnitude less than those typically specified by transportation agencies. The flow rate of a sediment slurry through geotextile fences was a function of apparent opening size as well as of permittivity. Flow rates through rock berms greatly exceeded the rates typically recommended in guidelines issued by regulatory agencies. The short detention times and large pore size of the berms resulted in only a slight reduction in the suspended solids load.

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