Erosion Control

Wood chips in Crumbler

Woody Biomass Size Reduction with Selective Material Orientation

Abstract  Roundwood logs from forests and energy plantations must be chipped, ground, or otherwise comminuted into small particles prior to conversion to solid or liquid biofuels. Results & discussion: Rotary veneer followed by cross-grain shearing is demonstrated to be a novel and low energy consuming method for primary breakdown of logs into a raw material …

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WoodStraw Quality Assurance

A Wood-Strand Material for Wind Erosion Control: Effects on Total Sediment Loss

Abstract Fugitive dust from eroding land poses risks to environmental quality and human health, and thus, is regulated nationally based on ambient air quality standards for particulate matter with mean aerodynamic diameter <= 10 µm (PM10) established in the Clean Air Act. Agricultural straw has been widely used for rainfall-induced erosion control; however, its performance …

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Agriculture Straw versus WoodStraw, Wind Mobility

Evaluating Material Properties to Optimize Wood Strands for Wind Erosion Control

Abstract Wind erosion is a widespread problem in much of the western United States due to arid conditions and persistent winds. Fugitive dust from eroding land poses a risk to both environmental quality and human health. Since the advent of the Clean Air Act in 1971, ambient air quality standards have been set regulating particulate …

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WoodStraw applied to fire affected area

Healing in a Fire’s Aftermath

Introduction  According to the National Interagency Fire Center, each year for the last six years, an average of 78,000 wildfires have burned 1.7 million ha (4.3 million acres) in the United States. The human response to those fires varies greatly: some are left to burn themselves out, while others are suppressed with every resource available. …

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WoodStraw Erosion Control on Slopes

Performance and Assessment of Wood-Strand Erosion Control Materials Among Varying Slopes, Soil Textures, and Cover Amounts

Abstract  Two blends of manufactured wood strands with different lengths were tested for effectiveness in controlling erosion. Wood strand blends were tested on two soils, two slopes, and at three coverage amounts. Laboratory rainfall simulations were conducted to evaluate runoff and sediment loss. Wood strands were effective in delaying runoff, reducing runoff volume, and reducing …

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WoodStraw High Coverage Erosion Control

Field Performance of Long-Strand Wood Erosion Control Mulch and Agricultural Straw under Natural Rainfall Events

Abstract  Field plots were used to compare the performance of agricultural straw mulch with a new wood-based long strand erosion control material. Three studies were installed at two locations in western Washington and central California. Slopes ranged from 15% to over  50%. Soil types included gravelly sand and fine sandy loam. Each plot was approximately …

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South Park Library Canopy with Roundwood

Best Value Contracting for Wood Based Watershed Improvement Materials

Abstract  Forest Concepts, LLC is a federal contractor that is developing value-added uses for small diameter timber. Our objective is to create new jobs in rural communities through the manufacture and/or use of forest biomass that is a co-product of forest health and fuel reduction thinning programs. About the Publication  Dooley, J.H. 2004. Best Value …

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WoodStraw Coverage

Comparison of Erosion Reduction Between Wood Strands and Agricultural Straw

Abstract  Agricultural straw is widely used as an erosion mitigation measure on disturbed soils. It has several drawbacks, however, which include increasing intrinsic value, increasing transportation costs, weed source, pesticide residues, and dust. An alternative is wood strands manufactured from small diameter timber or low-value veneer. A study to determine the efficacy of wood strands …

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Flowcheck

Design and Application of Manufactured All-wood Hillslope Erosion Control Structures

Abstract  The FlowCheck™ hillslope erosion control structure was developed to make it easier to accomplish erosion control on burned-over lands, graded slopes and other disturbed areas. The scientific basis for sediment storage behind wood hillslope structures was developed by the U.S. Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station. Forest Concepts, LLC combined the best available science …

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