Erosion is the wearing away of land surface by wind or water. Erosion results in cloudy, muddy water entering the Rouge River. The "mud" in the muddy water is sediments, a mix of soil components: particles of sand, silt and clay, that have been dislodged from the ground and carried away by running water and wind. Erosion in a river system creates numerous problems for aquatic life:

When sediments enter the river, sand and clay settle to the bottom, and eventually, form a thick layer, which covers the living space for many bottom-dwelling plants and animals.

In heavy concentrations, sediments can block sunlight for aquatic plants, clog the gills of fish, and reduce the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water.

While soil erosion and sedimentation are naturally occurring and caused by rain and wind, human activities such as intensive agricultural production and construction and other development activities, worsen accelerate the soil erosion sedimentation process.

Erosion Control Tips:

• Place gravel or hardy vegetation under roof eaves. Add downspout attachments to slow and spread the draining water.
• When landscaping or remodeling, cover small mounds of dirt with a tarp so that wind and rain don't carry the sediments to nearby water bodies.
• Stabilize your shoreline by following the tips found in the landscaping section.
• Generally, it is important to limit the extent and duration of land disturbance and protect surfaces once they are exposed. This can be accomplished through surface stabilization or sediment barriers.

Surface Stabilization Methods
Earth surface stabilization reduces erosion from both wind and water. Covering bare ground prevents water runoff and rain from erosion soil and carrying sediment into the Rouge. Following are various methods for surface stabilization:

Mulching: A protective blanket of straw or other plant residue, gravel or synthetic material applied to the soil surface will minimize runoff, encourage vegetative growth, reduce evaporation, insulate the soil and suppress weed growth. Mulch provides immediate protection and organic mulch such as straw, wood chips and shredded bark are highly effective. Other mulches include: grass clippings, newsprint and compost. Netting may be needed to hold mulch in place on slopes.

Temporary Seeding: Planting rapid-growing annual grasses or small grains can be used as temporary stabilization for erosion control on disturbed soils that will not be finished for more than approximately one month.

Sodding: Permanent stabilization of exposed areas by laying a continuous cover of grass sod. Sod is useful for providing immediate cover in steep, critical areas and in areas unsuitable for seed. Sod must be rolled over after placement to ensure contact and then watered.

Sediment Barriers: Sediment barriers are used to decrease flow and capture sediment due to disturbed soil.

Silt Fence/Straw Bale Barrier: A silt fence is a temporary sediment barrier consisting of filter fabric buried, stretched and staked around the edge of the disturbed area or near a receiving water. A bale of straw (don't undo the bale) or a pile of gravel can also be used instead of the filter fabric to reduce velocity and increase infiltration into the soil, however this is not the preferred method.

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Please address all comments and suggestions about the contents of this Web page to rougeweb@co.wayne.mi.us.

The Rouge River National Wet Weather Demonstration Project is funded, in part, by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Grants #XP995743-01, -02, -03, -04, -05, -06, -08 and C-264000-01.