Erosion and sediment control is easy to overlook until the first rain event puts it to the test. On an active jobsite, runoff doesn’t wait for the “right” phase, so controls need to work like jobsite infrastructure from day one. Installing measures early, keeping them functional as grades change, and matching the plan and the construction schedule helps keep sediment on site and out of storm systems.
When measures are in place and maintained, they support safer, cleaner work areas for the crews that follow. That steadiness matters when grading, utilities, concrete, and paving are moving fast and inspections are on the calendar.
In this category, our crews install and maintain Silt Fence, Check Dams/Waddles, and Inlet Protection with a practical focus: intercept runoff where it actually travels, slow water down, and prevent sediment from reaching storm drains and downstream features. Silt Fence is commonly used along the perimeter of disturbance, at the toe of slopes, or along limits of work to slow sheet flow and capture sediment before it leaves the site. Check Dams/Waddles are set in swales, ditches, or temporary channels to reduce water velocity, break up concentrated flow, and limit erosion where runoff naturally collects. Inlet Protection is installed around storm drain inlets and curb openings to keep sediment out of the storm system, especially during early grading and as curb and drainage features come online.
The best layout depends on soil conditions, slope, drainage patterns, and how the site shifts week to week as construction progresses. After installation, it also depends on watching how water actually moves across the ground, because flow lines can change quickly as cuts, fills, utility crossings, and temporary haul routes shift.
Most erosion issues start with timing. Controls do their best work when they are installed before disturbance ramps up, not after heavy rain exposes bare soil and new flow paths. In practical terms, Silt Fence and Inlet Protection can often be installed the same day we mobilize, provided access and layout are ready. Check Dams/Waddles are typically placed as soon as a swale or ditch line is shaped and begins carrying water, and they may be adjusted as grades tighten up and drainage becomes more defined.
Inspections are where erosion control either stays reliable or starts slipping. Jobs often have required inspection frequencies, and rain events can trigger additional checks. The focus stays on measures installed per plan, functioning as intended, and maintained without long gaps between findings and fixes. When Silt Fence is down or undermined, when Check Dams/Waddles are overwhelmed, or when Inlet Protection is clogged or bypassed, sediment moves fast and cleanup is rarely small. This work stays on track when layout, access, phasing, and inspection timing are clear from the start.
