Watershed Management Protection
Resurgence Incorporated can assist with Watershed Management. Stormwater runoff is rain or snowmelt that flows over land and does not percolate into the soil. Stormwater runoff occurs naturally, in small amounts, from almost any type of land surface, especially during larger storm events. Impervious surfaces, such as buildings, homes, roads, sidewalks, and parking lots, can significantly alter the natural hydrology of the land by increasing the volume, velocity, and temperature of runoff and by decreasing its infiltration capacity. Increasing the volume and velocity of stormwater runoff can cause severe stream bank erosion, flooding, and degrade the biological habitat of these streams. Reducing infiltration can lower ground water levels and affect drinking water supplies. In addition, as stormwater runoff moves across surfaces, it picks up trash, debris, and pollutants such as sediment, oil and grease, pesticides and other toxins. Changes in ambient water temperature, sediment, and pollutants from stormwater runoff can be detrimental to aquatic life, wildlife, habitat, and human health. Soil exposed by construction activities is especially vulnerable to erosion. Runoff from an unstabilized construction site can result in the loss of approximately 35-45 tons of sediment per acre each year . Even during a short period of time, construction sites can contribute more sediment to streams than would be deposited naturally over several decades.
Excess sediment can cloud the water reducing the amount of sunlight reaching aquatic plants, clog fish gills, smother aquatic habitat and spawning areas, and impede navigation in our waterways. The primary stormwater pollutant at a construction site is sediment. To control erosion at a construction site, it is important to understand the different types of erosion that can occur. Erosion begins when raindrops break down the soil structure and dislodge soil particles. Runoff carrying the soil particles becomes sheet erosion which eventually forms smaller rills and larger gullies. The best way to stop erosion is to keep the soil in place through vegetation, erosion control blankets, or other methods that prevent the soil from becoming dislodged during rain events. The erosion process is typically influenced by climate, topography, soils, and vegetative cover. Understanding how these factors influence erosion will help you select and design appropriate controls to minimize erosion from your construction site.
