The Rural Voice, 1978-10, Page 11Erosion Demonstration
by M.V.C.A. at the International
Craig Piper points out a rip. -rap.
Pilot project shows
erosion solutions
By Rhea Hamilton
With the rise in the cost of land it is with little wonder that
many land owners are looking to problem areas on their land on
which to grow more in order to make more.
The Maitland Valley Conservation Authority is working in
co-operation with landowners to keep eroding land from being
completely lost.
Erosion problems are among the number one enemies of
farmers. With creeks and drainage ditches not maintained
properly much of the runoff takes valuable topsoil with it.
Erosion in the Maitland Valley Conservation block is a major
problem. Land that erodes away is costly to replace and under
natural conditions takes over 100 years to form again. Creeks,
channels and ponds have to be dredged and the fish habitat is
destroyed.
The Maitland Valley Conservation Authority has started to do
something about the problem of erosion.
At the site of the Huron County International Plowing Match
the Authority has set up a permanent erosion control display.
Last spring the authority approached Jim Armstrong, host
farmer for the Match and suggested that a permanent erosion
program be set up.
On the Armstrong farm there is a gulley that runs to the river.
The banks were steep and cattle grazing in the field had worn the
sides away even further so here was a prime example of erosion
that the authority could tackle.
Work began this June and before the end of July, the work had
been completed by four students employed by the Authority
through the Work Experience program '78.
Craig Piper from the M.V.C.A. conducted a tour of the
revitalized area for the Rural Voice.
A pond had been previously dug so a runoff culvert was
placed on the west end of the pond with runoff travelling
underground for several yards before opening out onto a rip rap.
Rip -Rap
A rip rap is as it sounds, a combination of rocks built along the
bank of the gully and placed around the opening of the
culvert.Between the small 10" culvert opening and the rocks the
water velocity is broken.This idea is one of the most common
ways to help prevent soil erosion.
The stones used, must be of irregular shape or angular and all
of the same size. The angular shape keeps the stone from sliding
away more than round ones would. If they are of similar size then
there is less settling.
The strip of land on top of the underground overflow is called a
grassed waterway and the water runs more slowly on this strip
because of the vegetation.
The open gully had its bank bulldozed back in order to cut back
the steep banks. The banks were then seeded down with grass.
THE RURAL VOICE/OCTOBER 1978 PG. 11