Erosion is a serious challenge for any construction site — and the costs of not managing this issue can be steep. Lost sediment can quickly lead to water pollution, clogged drains and even damage to nearby properties or the structure you're building.

Fortunately, with good practices and planning, it's possible to effectively control erosion on most construction sites. Read on to discover the best preservation techniques.

1. Segment the Construction Process

Break the construction process down into segments where you only work a portion of the site at a time. This process keeps the amount of earth that is exposed at a time more manageable, making erosion easier to control.

2. Stabilize Construction Entrances

Vehicles entering and exiting the construction site can turn up earth and pull sediment with them. Stabilizing entrances and exits of your construction site will reduce the amount of land impacted by the movement of heavy machinery.

3. Control the Site Perimeter

Silt fencing and other perimeter control methods can keep sediment and dust on-site. They'll also steer workers and equipment through your stabilized entrances and exits, reducing the risk of erosion around the site's edge. 

4. Plan for Water

Water is one of the biggest drivers of erosion. Before you break ground on a new construction project, you should plan for how you're going to manage the flow of water on-site, such as with runoff ditches.

5. Avoid Creating Steep Slopes

Steep slopes erode faster than shallower slopes. They also tend to be harder to protect with simple erosion methods, and it may be difficult for plant roots to take hold in these surfaces.

6. Pick the Right Erosion Control Blankets

Erosion control blankets are a common method used to stabilize disturbed earth. Erosion control blankets can be both biodegradable and permanent — be sure to pick the correct type needed for your project.

7. Protect Streambanks

The continuous flow of water across streambanks means that they often require special erosion control methods, like brush mattresses, if disturbed during construction.

Brush mattresses have one or two layers of interweaved live branches. These mattresses are a standard bioengineered erosion control method for streambanks and shallow slopes. Immediately after being placed, they work as a sediment trap and provide a good base for the development of native vegetation.

8. Make Mulch On-Site

Mulch can be a highly effective and cost-efficient soil stabilizer. If you're already removing trees from a site, you can bring in a tree grinder or chipper to create your own mulch on-site.

9. Inspect and Repair Your Erosion Control Regularly

Erosion control can become disturbed over time and will need regular maintenance. Once erosion control measures are in place, they should be inspected both regularly and following major weather events — like storms that bring heavy rain or wind. Erosion control on inactive job sites should also be inspected regularly and repaired if necessary.

10. Minimize Disturbed Earth

By minimizing the area that you turn up during construction, you expose the lowest amount of ground possible to erosion. Avoid turning up earth and breaking ground when you don't need to. Manage the path of construction equipment and workers so that they avoid trampling vegetation.

Best Practices for Managing Erosion on Construction Sites

Without the right preparation, it can be difficult to manage construction site erosion. Before a project begins, remember to plan your site and minimize the area that's disturbed or impacted by workers and heavy equipment. You should also identify the areas of your site that will need erosion management and select stabilization methods that will offer reasonable control.

About the Author: Emily is a green tech writer who covers topics in renewable energy and sustainable design. You can read more of her work on her blog, Conservation Folks.

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