When most people think erosion, their thoughts often go towards hills and slopes where the topsoil simply washed away. Erosion can also be a problem in low lying areas as water flows through them, either from irrigation or heavy rain. Fortunately, there are fixes that aid drainage and prevent the water flow from washing everything away in these low spots and valleys.

Dry Creeks

A dry creek bed is little more than a valley or gully lined with decorative stones so that it resembles a dry, rocky creek bed. Often, perforated drain pipes are installed underneath the rock lining. This means that as water flows into the low area, it trickles through the rocks in the creek and into the drain pipes where it is carried away. The rocks prevent further erosion while still allowing the water to percolate through so you don't have issues with standing water.

Buffer Zones

Buffer zones are created by the plants that are placed in and around the problem area. Low shrubs upslope the area and slow the flow of water. This is important because slow-moving water has time to soak into the soil, whereas fast-moving water can further erode low areas as it flows through. Planting a ground cover that can tolerate periodic wet conditions in the low area itself will further anchor soil and prevent erosion.

Erosion Grids

An erosion grid is a hard plastic grid that is placed into the soil. Grass and other plants can grow in the grid, but the grid itself prevents the soil (and any plants) from being washed away when water flows into the low lying area. Much like a dry creek, perforated drain pipes are usually installed first, with the grid installed on last. This way water can still seep quickly from the low spot instead of collecting.

Check Dams

In some cases, it is best to just leave a low spot as a drainage gully and to prevent too much soil loss with the use of check dams. A check dam is a small dam built across the gully. The dam is typically made of gravel so that water can percolate through slowly. In this way, the dam "checks" or slows water flow instead of stopping it completely, which means that soil is not carried away by fast-moving water. Check dams can be used in conjunction with the other erosion control methods above.

For more help, contact an erosion prevention service like Bark Blowers & Hydroseeding Inc in your area.