Erosion’s Impact on Flood Control (And How Our Team Prevents It)
Our Waterways blog often talks about ways we can help protect Valley Ranch from flooding, including picking up trash, properly caring for lawns and supporting facilities maintenance. Today, we’re covering another important task that can easily go unnoticed – erosion prevention.
Let’s talk about what erosion is, the dangers of erosion and steps IFCD 3 takes to prevent it.
What is Erosion?
Erosion is a process where natural forces move soil from one area to another. National Geographic defines it as “the geological process in which earthen materials are worn away and transported by natural forces, such as wind or water.” Water is the major agent of erosion on Earth.
If not controlled, erosion could increase the risk of flooding in Valley Ranch – especially after a major rainstorm or severe weather event.
Why is Erosion a Problem?
Erosion doesn’t pose an immediate threat to our flood control systems. However, erosion over time can cause two distinct issues:
- Resurfacing – Erosion threatens to pull soil away from the levee and canal walls. This resurfacing can change the water flow, making it difficult to properly control and direct the water.
- Settlement – Erosion causes soil to settle at the bottom of our canals and waterways, which starts to reduce their overall capacity. This means there’s less room for stormwater to move through the system.
How Does IFCD 3 Prevent Erosion?
Erosion can lead to really big issues. That’s why the IFCD 3 team stays vigilant to reduce its impact and prevent it from occurring in the first place.
Here are some of the erosion control steps we regularly take:
Proper Landscaping – Exposed soil is prone to erode easily, so our team protects the flood control system by maintaining the surrounding landscaping. Grass and groundcover plants act as a shield, and their roots provide additional help by holding the deeper soil in place.
Structural Maintenance – Taking care of canal walls and other masonry throughout Valley Ranch ensures they will block precipitation and water runoff. The IFCD 3 team regularly inspects and repairs structural components of our flood control system to prevent harmful erosion.
Dredging – When erosion occurs in our waterways, we use a process called dredging to remove soil that has settled at the bottom. Clean waterways can handle greater volumes of water and prevent flooding more effectively.
Erosion may not seem like a major threat, but it can put our community at risk of flooding if left unchecked. That’s why IFCD 3 takes intentional steps to prevent erosion and keep our flood control system in optimal condition.
To learn more about our work and stay up-to-date on our most recent projects, follow IFCD 3 on X and Facebook or visit our Project Updates page.