What is Erosion?
Erosion is the process that occurs when soil and other land matter is disturbed by either human activity or natural conditions such as extreme weather.  When land erodes, it is carried from its original location into streams and rivers, where it disrupts spawning areas, pollutes water, and reduces flood channel capacity.  In addition to creating problems by its presence in streams, the land from which it originally came suffers from a lack of nutrients.  Most eroded material is topsoil, which is necessary to sustain healthy plants.  Once land erodes, it can take hundreds of years to reform naturally.  

Common human causes of erosion include poorly designed roads, inadequate drainage facilities, poor grading practices, no revegetation practices, and general lack of adequate planning by landusers.  

What Can I Do To Prevent Erosion?
Thankfully, there are several things you as a landowner can do to prevent erosion on your property, and the Western Shasta Resource Conservation District, along with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and Bureau of Land Management, can help.  Below is a short list of erosion control tips to get you started, and a list of contacts if you are interested in learning about some of the cost-share programs offered through the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

  Schedule construction work for the dry season.  You should plan to begin your construction work so that it can be completed prior to October 15.  Do not leave exposed soils uprotected over the rainy season.  If work is not completed by October 15, use grass seed and/or straw mulch as a temporary cover.

Leave as much of the site as possible undisturbed.  Grade only areas that are going to be immediately worked on.  Leave vegetation on the site as long as possible.  The more topsoil and vegetation that is disturbed on an area, the greater the chance of erosion.

Do stockpile topsoil.  During grading or excavation, stockpile topsoil for reapplication later.  A layer of about 6 sinches thick is minimum.  Topsoil contains seeds of many native shrubs and grasses that will help provide vegetative growth.  In addition, topsoil contains nutrients that will enable planted grasses and shrubs to grow.

Plant grass seed or other vegetation before the fall rains begin.  Plant a grass/legume seed mixture on all exposed areas and cut/fill slopes for temporary protection.  Apply mulch as needed.  Plant in fall so that seeds will have a chance to germinate and grow before winter weather slows growth.  

Do apply netting and straw mulch on steep slopes.  On slopes greater than 20 percent use netting and straw mulch to hold the soil and prevent loss of grass seed.  Straw mulch will provide erosion control, moisture conservation, and prevent soil crusting.  

Do preserve trees and shrubs in streamside areas.  Streamside vegetation can catch and hold sediment before it enters the stream.  Roots of plants help hold the soil and reduce bank erosion.  Once a bank has been disturbed, reestablishment is very difficult.  Streamside plants also provide food and shelter for wildlife.  Preserve streamside vegetation for its value in erosion control and wildlife habitat.

Incorporate existing native vegetation into the landscaping plan for new developments.  Existing native vegetation requires the least care of any planting materials.  Native plants require little or no watering or fertilizer and grow on difficult sites.  Care should be taken in developing around trees to prevent from damaging them.

Direct water runoff away from areas subject to erosion.  Direct runoff onto paved areas, grassed waterways, well-vegetated areas, storm drains, or other downstream areas not prone to erosion.  Pipes, culverts, or paved drainage ditches can be used to carry water down steep slopes.  On highly erosive soils, rooftop runoff should be controlled and run directly to a suitable drainage system.

Local Contacts for Erosion Control Information and Assistance:   Western Shasta Resource Conservation District 6270 Parallel Road • Anderson, CA 96007 Phone - 530 365-7332 • FAX - 530 365-7271 Office Location Map Email the District: 2005 - All Rights Reserved Email Natural Resources Conservation Service 3179 Bechelli Lane, Suite 107 Redding, CA 96002 (530) 246-5252 ext. 3