Storm drain inlets are one of the quickest connections between active grading and downstream waters. Our inlet protection work stays focused on a simple goal: keep sediment out of the storm system while still allowing the site to drain the way it needs to during each phase of construction. On GDOT and other regulated projects, we don't treat inlet protection as a checkbox item. The right setup depends on the inlet, the flow, and what the approved erosion and sediment control plan is trying to accomplish.
Before installation, we look at how water is reaching the inlet today and how it will reach it after the next phase. A device that works for sheet flow can fail fast once runoff concentrates into ruts, a temporary ditch, or a low pocket. Soil conditions also drive the decision: tight clays can carry fine sediment that blinds off fabric quickly, while sandy or mixed soils may move faster and need more capture volume and more frequent cleanout. We also check the grade around the structure, because if an inlet sits too high, water can bypass and cut around it; if it sits too low, it can become the collection point for everything uphill.
Installation quality is what decides whether inlet protection works past the first storm. We follow the intent of the plan and common GDOT practices, while fitting the details to the specific inlet, grade, and runoff pattern. That includes setting barriers and fabric tight to pavement or finished grade so water can't short-circuit underneath, anchoring or weighting materials so they don't float or shift, and keeping the protection sized and placed so it does its job without creating a hazard. Depending on location, a curb opening may need a setup that captures sediment but still passes flow without backing water into the travel way. In other areas, a grate may need protection that won't clog so quickly that it creates ponding on fresh base or against new curb.
Runoff patterns change as the site changes. Rough grading, base prep, curb and gutter, paving, and utility tie-ins can all shift where water concentrates. Timing affects performance: installing ahead of earthmoving and ahead of forecasted rain is ideal when feasible, then adjusting as the site transitions from dirt work to stone, curb, and asphalt so an inlet is not left catching the whole load alone.
Inlet protection is temporary by design, and it only performs if it's maintained. These devices are meant to collect sediment, so the work is not finished when the last staple or sandbag goes down. We plan for inspections after rain events, routine cleanouts, and quick resets when a device is damaged by traffic or overwhelmed by a heavy storm. Maintenance typically includes removing accumulated sediment before it blocks flow, replacing clogged fabric, re-securing edges, and watching for undercutting or bypass that can start small and turn into a washout. Where slopes are steep, access is limited, or inlets sit inside active traffic patterns, service takes longer and may require additional traffic control or equipment, and weather can compress schedules fast.
