Grassed Waterway
Green Buttons navigate Sections. Use links below buttons to move through the pages of a section.
Plantings to Stop Erosion in a Drainageway
Shaping and establishing grass in a nature drainageway to control soil erosion and prevent gullies from forming.
Description
A natural drainageway is graded and shaped to form a smooth, parabolic-shaped channel. This area is seeded to sod-forming grasses. Runoff water flows over the grass instead of tearing the soil away to form a gully. An outlet is often installed at the base of the drainageway to stabilize the waterway.
Benefits
- Grass cover protects the drainageway from gully erosion.
- Vegetation may act as a filter, absorbing some of the pesticides and nutrients in runoff water.
- Vegetation provides cover for wildlife.
Planning
- Is major land reshaping needed?
- Is there a proper outlet for surface runoff at the bottom of the waterway?
- Are soil conservation measures installed to prevent siltation?
- Will tile drainage be necessary to stabilize the waterway?
Tech Notes
- Contact your local soil conservation district for free guidance.
- A waterway should be designed to carry the peak runoff from a ten-year, 24-hour storm.
- Seed at the recommended time and rate. Place seed about 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep. If feasible, plant across the slope to reduce erosion.
- A nurse crop, temporary cover, or mulch may be necessary until permanent cover is established.
Maintenance
- Lift implements off the ground and shut off spray equipment when crossing.
- Do not use the waterway as a roadway.
- Fertilize based on soil test results.
- Maintain the width of the grass area when tilling surrounding fields.
- Avoid planting end rows along the waterway to prevent a new gully from forming on the outside edges of the waterway.