Erosion control barrier

Abstract

An erosion control barrier including a boom having a tube, formed of geotextile, that is filled with an absorbent batting. An aboveground wing, formed of geotextile, is affixed to the tube and extends along the length of the tube. The top of the aboveground wing projects above the top of the boom and is provided with a pocket. A ground-penetrating post is positioned adjacent the boom. The top of the post is inserted into the pocket for supporting the top of the aboveground wing.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to hydraulic and earth engineering and, more particularly, to apparatus for bank, shore, or bed protection purposes.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Soil erosion has occurred since landmasses formed upon the earth. Prior to the industrial revolution, forests and grasses covered most of the land and protected the soil under layers of leaf litter. Erosion proceeded at a relatively slow rate and was hardly noticed by man.[0003]Accompanying widespread settlement over the last few centuries came a need to dwell upon, and derive other benefits from, large swaths of land. People purposefully removed trees, shrubs, and grasses from selected areas first to establish farms and villages and, then, to construct cities, factories, roadways, utility right-of-ways, mines, and residential subdivisions. This removal of vegetation has permitted storm runoff to erode soil more quickly and noticeably.[0004]The erosion of soil scars the...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]In light of the problems associated with conventional silt fences, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an erosion control barrier that minimizes the possibility of blowouts and washouts and the resulting, uncontrolled flow of sediment downslope from an excavated area.

[0012]It is a further object of the invention to provide an erosion control barrier of the type described that can be easily set up and taken down in the field. The work can be performed by individuals with minimal training and a few basic tools.

[0013]It is an object of the invention to provide improved features and arrangements thereof in an erosion control barrier for the purposes described that is relatively lightweight in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and dependable in use.

Problems solved by technology

Topsoil lost from an area may have taken centuries to develop and can be exceedingly costly to replace.

Eroded soil loses its ability to retain precipitation, resulting in faster runoff and flooding.

Roadways, bridges and other structures can wash out due to flooding and undercutting.

Eroded sediment can be damaging too.

It clogs storm water drainage systems.

Also, it pollutes rivers and streams, choking aquatic life and increasing water purification costs.

Finally, it can diminish the aesthetic quality of the environment.

Properly constructed silt fences are known to fail at a high rate and require close inspection after every rain event.

A “blowout” occurs when high runoff volumes topple a fence post, and the fence cloth attached to it, so that runoff can move over the fence cloth and downslope in an uncontrolled, erosive fashion.

More common, however, is a “washout” caused by the poor compaction of backfill within a trench that permits runoff to pass beneath the fence cloth that, itself, is pushed from the trench.

With either mode of failure, costly replacement of the entire fence may be the only way to prevent unchecked runoff flows.

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