GEOL 457
EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL/STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

1. Catalog Entry

GEOL 457. Erosion and Sediment Control/Stormwater Management
Three hours lecture (3).

Prerequisites: Enrollment as a major in any natural science or Geography; or at least eight hours of geology courses.

A study of the principles of erosion and sediment control and stormwater management as these apply to construction sites. Topics emphasized include regulatory and legal aspects, techniques of estimating rainfall runoff, use of soil loss estimators, examination of structural and non-structural methods of erosion and sediment control, and preparation of erosion and sediment control plans.

2. Detailed Description of Content of Course

Lecture Outline

1. Introduction

a. What is Erosion and Sediment Control?
b. Magnitude of the Erosion Problem
c. Stormwater Management Overview
d. Regulatory Environment
e. Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Law and Regulations

2. Precipitation and Infiltration

a. Hydrologic Cycle
b. Climate and Precipitation
c. Fate of Precipitation

3. Erosion and Types of Flow

a. Raindrop (Splash) Erosion
b. Sheet Erosion/Overland Flow
c. Rill and Gully Erosion/Shallow Concentrated Flow
d. Channel Erosion/Channel Flow

4. Techniques of Runoff Estimation

a. The Rational Method
b. TR55

5. Sediment Erosion and Transport

a. Particle Size Scales
b. Settling Velocity
c. Water and Wind Transport of Sediment
d. Factors in Soil Erosion

6. Estimation of Soil Loss

a. Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE)
b. Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE)
c. Storm-based Approach to Soil Loss Calculations

7. Non-structural Methods of Erosion and Sediment Control

a. Vegetation
b. Mulches
c. Erosion Control Blankets
d. Soil Binders
e. Miscellaneous Techniques

8. Structural Methods of Erosion and Sediment Control

a. Water Conveyance Structures
b. Energy Dissipators
c. Streambank Protection
d. Subsurface Drains
e. Sediment Retention Structures

9. Preparation of Erosion and Sediment Control Plans

a. Data Collection
b. Data Analysis
c. Development of Site Plan
d. Development of Erosion and Sediment Control Plan
e. Maintenance Checklist

10. Erosion and Sediment Control Plans: Case Studies

a. Crow Canyon Ranch, CA
b. Williamsburg, VA

3. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

The first part of the course will be a mix of lectures by the professor and classroom discussion involving the students. To encourage the latter, key reference materials will be kept on reserve in the library. The students will be required to produce written summaries of current outside journal articles. To supplement the material presented in class, students will be required to solve mathematical problems involving techniques of runoff estimations, calculations of soil loss, and design of sediment retention ponds. In-class demonstrations of computer software available to perform runoff and soil loss calculations and to design stormwater management systems will also be used. Videos and slides concerning topics pertinent to the subject material will be presented.

The latter part of the course will involve extensive interaction with professionals in the field. In particular, personnel from the Virginia Division of Soil and Water Conservation are available for classroom presentations. At least one field trip is planned to view an active construction site with a guest professional. A second major activity toward the end of the course is preparation of a research paper and oral presentation of the subject material in class.

4. Goals and Objectives of the Course

Having successfully completed this course, the student will:

1. Understand the basic principles of erosion and sediment control and stormwater management, including the legal and regulatory aspects driving the application of these principles to disturbed land areas.
2. Be familiar with the major techniques of estimating rainfall runoff and calculating the amount of soil loss from land areas disturbed by construction activities.
3. Know how to read and summarize technical articles from current journals in the field.
4. Have interacted with outside guest professionals in the field via both in-class activities and field trips.
5. Have planned and written a well-organized scientific research paper designed around stringent and formal guidelines concerning the preparation of technical reports.
6. Have presented orally the results of the technical topic chosen for the research paper analysis.
7. Have obtained a strong foundation for a future career related to erosion and sediment control and surface water runoff management.

5. Assessment Measures

1. Lecture written examinations
2. Mathematical problem sets
3. Summaries of required journal articles
4. Research paper

a. Technical content
b. Proper writing skills

5. Oral presentation of research paper

a. Technical content
b. Proper oral communication skills

6. Other Course Information

Bibliography

• Agricultural Research Service, 1994, Predicting soil erosion by water: A guide to conservation planning with the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE): Agriculture Handbook No. 703, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C., 370 pgs.
• Goldman, S. J., Jackson, K., and Bursztynsky, T. A., 1986, Erosion and sediment control handbook: McGraw-Hill, Inc., New York.
• Haan, C. T., Barfield, B. J., and Hayes, J. C., 1994, Design hydrology and sedimentology for small catchments: Academic Press, San Diego, 588 pgs.
• International Erosion Control Association, 1992, Erosion and sediment control short course: Course notes: International Erosion Control Association, Steamboat Springs, CO.
• Soil Conservation Service, 1986, Urban hydrology for small watersheds, Technical Release No. 55: Soil Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C.
• Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, 1992, Virginia erosion and sediment control handbook (3rd. ed.): Division of Soil and Water Conservation, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Richmond.
• Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, 1993, Virginia erosion and sediment control law and regulations: Division of Soil and Water Conservation, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Richmond, 26 pgs.
• Walesh, S. G., 1989, Urban surface water management: John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 518 pgs.

7. Approval and Subsequent Reviews

Date Action Reviewed by
September 2001 Reviewed and Approved Stephen W. Lenhart, Chair