Juanita Bay Park (Kirkland, WA) In early December, we visited Juanita Bay Park in Kirkland, Washington, where WoodStraw® erosion control material had been applied for a greenspace restoration project. The park, which was a former golf course, provides a natural haven for both city dwellers and wildlife alike. Instead of caring for heavily manicured lawns, […]
Juanita Bay Park Meadow Project (WoodStraw® ECM Application) Read More »
Cedar River – Lake Washington Watershed (Renton, WA) We had the privilege of visiting with the Walsh Group in October after their recent application of WoodStraw® erosion control material. They reached out to us in early October looking to cover 3,500 square feet of slope with a grade greater than 34%. Given the steepness of
Riverbend Levee Setback and Floodplain Restoration Project (WoodStraw® ECM Application) Read More »
Abstract Soil erosion is a significant risk during and after grading operations on mine and pipeline sites. A range of materials are commercially available to reduce the erosive effects of wind and/or rainfall, including agricultural straw, hydraulic mulches, and rolled erosion blankets. Each of the conventional materials have limitations sufficient enough that federal agencies supported
Field Experience with Wood-Strand Erosion Control Mulch on Mine and Pipeline Projects Read More »
Abstract Soil erosion is a significant risk on burned areas following wildfires due to loss of vegetation, fine surface debris, and fireline construction. Erosion may be triggered by wind, resulting in loss of topsoil and ash with resulting air quality effects, or by rainfall that displaces seeds, creates rills, and washes topsoil downslope. A range
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
A Wood-Strand Material for Wind Erosion Control: Effects on Total Sediment Loss Read More »
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
Evaluating Material Properties to Optimize Wood Strands for Wind Erosion Control Read More »
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.
Healing in a Fire’s Aftermath Read More »
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
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
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
Design and Application of Manufactured All-wood Hillslope Erosion Control Structures Read More »
