Evaluation of Ditch Checks for Sediment Retention

Construction activities generally involve significant land disturbances, leaving the soil unprotected and more susceptible to erosion, which may in turn adversely affect the surrounding environment. The lack of quantitative and qualitative data on erosion and sediment control product performance using standardized evaluation methodologies under locally relevant climate and soil conditions makes it difficult to appropriately select the most suitable erosion and sediment control best management practices (BMPs). During roadside construction, ditches are often impacted and may be left bare of vegetation throughout the duration of the construction project. As rain hits this bare soil, it tends to heavily erode the ditch, carrying large quantities of sediment in runoff. This sediment is then free to enter larger water systems, which is a detriment environmentally and economically, and could be harmful to human health. At the Erosion Control Research and Training Center (ECRTC) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a series of tests were conducted to analyze the effectiveness of various ditch checks to ensure they could be used in real-life construction sites to mitigate soil transport. The tests were conducted to determine their practicality in field use. The goal of these tests were to examine how well they reduce sediment leaving the ditch and how much ponding occurs, as well as other criteria of interest to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). The test was performed following protocols designed by the University of Illinois in consultation with IDOT. Because there is currently a lack of products available for contractors to use on IDOT construction jobs, the importance of this test cannot be overstated. The tests were performed to determine whether a new product could be feasibly used.