Highway 897

SITUATION

Ditches along roadways are often some of the most heavily eroded surfaces. This causes the runoff flowing down the ditches to become heavily laden with sediment. Along with the sediment problem is the lack of slope stability and possible erosion of roadways or lands adjacent to the roadway.

At this site erosion of the ditch bank facing the road caused unsightly erosion rills. Left untreated, these would pose problems with further erosion and possible loss of land for the adjacent field.

Slopes are seeded with grass or other vegetation or laid with sod, utilizing the plants root system to secure the soil and prevent erosion. Erosion can re-occur because the time it takes for the root system to establish opens a window for the seeds to be washed away or the slope eroded before adequate stabilization.

SOLUTION

Alberta Transportation contacted Clearflow for a solution.

In order to stop the erosion the slope had to be rebuilt by filling in the rills and re-contouring the slope. After this was completed the slope had to establish a root system; as is common practice, the slope was covered with a natural fabric to hold the soil in place until this happened.

Instead of re-seeding the slope the fabric was laid down along with polymer powder provided by Clearflow Consulting, Inc. (now Clearflow Enviro Systems Group Inc.). This "glued" the fabric down securing the slope and allowing adequate water-soil penetration to prevent erosion.

 RESULTS

Returning to the site in June of the following year revealed the establishment of the local grasses within the reclaimed area. Vegetation was already well established around the reclamation site and worked its way into the reclamation area; growing through the slope stabilization fabric. There was also no evidence of rill erosion.

Clearflow products are listed with Alberta Transportation as approved products.