USDA UCPPE SOIL 2002

RESOURCE: SOIL

Urban Conservation Practice Physical Effects

CONSIDERATIONS:

(1) EROSION

(2) CONDITION

(3) DEPOSITION

STREAMBANK

SHEET AND RILL

SOIL COMPACTION

SOIL CONTAMINANTS

DAMAGE

SAFETY

CLASSIC

SOIL MASS

ROADBANK AND

EXCESS CHEMICAL

EXCESS FERTILIZER

EXCESS PESTICIDES

ON-SITE

OFF-SITE

ON-SITE

OFF-SITE

GULLY

MOVEMENT

CONSTRUCTION

CONTENT, SALINITY,

SITES

SELENIUM, BORON,

HEAVY METAL

Gullies are channels that may grow or enlarge from year to year by headcutting and lateral widening. They are too deep to be erased by normal operations.

Sloughing of banks caused by overbank flow, unstable soils, obstructions, unstable channel bottom, or all of these.

Soil slippage, landslides, or slope failure, normally on hillsides, in deep cuts or through unstable soil on sloping land that creates a large volume of soil movement.

The erosion as identified is causing problems and damage, both on-site and off-site.

The movement of soil from water forces, requiring treatment when soil loss tolerance level is exceeded.

Compaction is excess compressing of soil particles and aggregates by machine and natural consolidation, thereby effecting plant-soil-moisture-air relationship.

Excess chemical content, salinity, selenium, boron, heavy metals. Includes the amounts of desirable and undesirable chemical elements and compounds consisting of either organic or inorganic forms and restricts the desired use of soil.

Excess fertilizer occurs if the application of fertilizer or quantity of nutrients restricts the desired use of the soil.

Excess pesticides occur if the application method type or the quantity of the residuals restrict desired use of the soil.

Vegetation destroyed or structural practices damaged or rendered inoperable due to excessive sediment deposition.

Same as on-site damage.

Deposition on roads and railroads that cause accidents, loss of life, and loss of access for emergency vehicles.

Same as on-site safety.

800 - Urban Stormwater Wetlands

A constructed system of shallow pools that create growing conditions for wetland plants to lessen the impacts of stormwater quality and quantity in urban areas.

Negligible.

Slight to significant decrease due to establishment of protective riparian vegetation.

Negligible.

Significant decrease due to establishment and management of permanent cover, deposition of organic material, and increased microbial action.

Moderate to significant decrease due to uptake of chemicals by hydrophytes.

Moderate to significant decrease due to less pesticide use and some uptake by hydrophytes.

Slight to significant decrease due to establishment of impoundments and hydrophytic plants which trap sediment.

Negligible to significant decrease due to trapping of sediment on site.

Negligible to slight decrease due to establishment of impoundments and hydrophytic plants which trap sediment.

Negligible to significant decrease due to trapping of sediment on site.

806 - Construction Road Stabilization

The stabilization of temporary construction access routes, subdivision roads, on-site vehicle transportation roads, and construction parking areas with stone immediately after grading.

Not determined yet.

808 - Culvert Inlet Protection

A temporary sediment filter located at the inlet to storm sewer culverts.

Not determined yet.

815 - Diversion

A channel and supporting ridge constructed across the slope to collect and divert runoff.

Slight to significant decrease due to interception of concentrated flow.

Slight to moderate decrease because of reduction in overbank flow.

Negligible to moderate decrease if water is diverted from top of slope.

Moderate to significant decrease due to interception of surface flow.

Negligible to slight decrease if slope length is reduced.

Negligible.

Negligible to slight decrease due to increased infiltration.

Negligible.

Slight to significant decrease due to reduced runoff and sedimentation.

Negligible to moderate decrease due to reduced runoff and sedimentation.

Slight to significant decrease due to reduced runoff and sedimentation.

Negligible to moderate decrease due to reduced runoff and sedimentation.

820 - Diversion Dike

A dike or dike and channel constructed along the perimeter of a disturbed construction area.

Slight to significant decrease due to interception of concentrated flow.

Slight to moderate decrease because of reduction in overbank flow.

Negligible to moderate decrease if water is diverted from top of slope.

Moderate to significant decrease due to interception of surface flow.

Negligible to slight decrease if slope length is reduced.

Negligible.

Negligible to slight decrease due to increased infiltration.

Negligible.

Slight to significant decrease due to reduced runoff and sedimentation.

Negligible to moderate decrease due to reduced runoff and sedimentation.

Slight to significant decrease due to reduced runoff and sedimentation.

Negligible to moderate decrease due to reduced runoff and sedimentation.

825 - Dust Control

Controlling dust blowing and movement on construction sites and roads.

Not applicable.

Negligible to slight increase if runoff occurs.

Negligible to significant increase if water vehicle is used.

Negligible.

Negligible to slight decrease if volume of water applied is controlled to prevent excess runoff.

Same as on-site damage.

Negligible to slight decrease if volume of water applied is controlled to prevent excess runoff.

Same as on-site safety.

830 - Erosion Blanket

The application of a preformed protective blanket of straw or other plant residue, or plastic fibers formed into a mat, usually with a plastic mesh on one or both sides.

Slight unless combined with a vegetative cover seeding.

Moderate to significant decrease because of increased surface cover.

Slight decrease due to protection of soil surface from impact of raindrops.

Negligible.

Moderate to significant decrease due to protection of soil surface from impact of raindrops.

835 - Filter Strip

A created or preserved area of vegetation designed to remove sediment and other pollutants and to enhance the infiltration of surface water runoff.

Negligible to slight decrease because of water spreading depending on location of filter strip.

Moderate to slight decrease because of decrease of overbank flow.

Negligible.

Negligible to slight decrease because of erosion reduction.

Slight to significant decrease because of reduced erosion on area vegetated.

Slight to significant decrease because of development of root mass and increased organic material within the field border.

Negligible.

Slight to significant decrease because of trapping of sediment in filter.

Slight to moderate decrease because of trapping of sediment upslope from roads.

Slight decrease because of trapping of sediment upslope from roads.

840 - Grass-Lined Channel

A natural or constructed channel that is shaped or graded to required dimensions and established with suitable vegetation for stable conveyance of runoff.

Slight to significant decrease because of managed and guided runoff.

Slight to moderate decrease because of managed and guided runoff.

Not applicable.

Negligible to slight decrease because of managed and guided runoff.

Negligible.

Not applicable.

Negligible.

Negligible to slight decrease due to managed runoff and reduced sedimentation.

Same as on-site damage.

Negligible to slight decrease due to managed runoff and reduced sedimentation.

Same as on-site safety.

841 - Impoundment Structure-Full Flow

A dam or excavation which creates an impoundment to collect and store debris, sediment, or water.

Negligible to significant decrease due to stabilization if embankment is constructed in gully.

Negligible to slight decrease due to reduced peak flows downstream from impoundment.

Not applicable.

Negligible.

Not applicable.

Negligible.

Slight to significant decrease due to sediment deposition in impoundment.

Same as on-site damage.

Slight to significant decrease due to sediment deposition in impoundment.

Same as on-site safety.

842 - Impoundment Structure-Routed

A dam or excavation which creates an impoundment to collect and store debris, sediment, or water.

Negligible to significant decrease due to stabilization if embankment is constructed in gully.

Negligible to slight decrease due to reduced peak flows downstream of impoundment.

Not applicable.

Negligible.

Not applicable.

Negligible.

Slight to significant decrease due to sediment deposition in impoundment.

Same as on-site damage.

Slight to significant decrease due to sediment deposition in impoundment.

Same as on-site safety.

847 - Infiltration Trench

An excavated trench filled with coarse granular material in which stormwater runoff is collected for temporary storage and infiltration.

Slight to significant decrease due to interception of concentrated flow.

Negligible to slight decrease due to reduced peak flow.

Slight to moderate increase if located above a potential soil mass movement site.

Negligible to slight decrease due to reduced peak flows.

Slight to moderate decrease due to reduced overland flow.

Negligible.

Not applicable.

Negligible to slight decrease due to sediment deposition in excavated pit or trench.

Same as on-site damage.

Slight to significant decrease due to trapping of sediment above storm drain inlet.

Same as on-site safety.

850 - Inlet Protection-Block and Gravel

A sediment control barrier formed around a storm drain inlet by the use of standard concrete blocks and gravel.

Not applicable.

Slight to significant decrease due to trapping of sediment above storm drain inlet.

Same as on-site damage.

Slight to significant decrease due to trapping of sediment above storm drain inlet.

Same as on-site safety.

855 - Inlet Protection-Excavated Drain

An excavated area in the approach to a storm drain drop inlet or curb inlet.

Not applicable.

Slight to significant decrease due to trapping of sediment above storm drain inlet.

Same as on-site damage.

Slight to significant decrease due to trapping of sediment above storm drain inlet.

Same as on-site safety.

860 - Inlet Protection-Fabric Drop

A temporary fabric barrier placed around a drop inlet.

Not applicable.

Slight to significant decrease due to trapping of sediment above storm drain inlet.

Same as on-site damage.

Negligible.

Same as on-site safety.

861 - Inlet Protection-Gravel & Wire Mesh

A temporary sediment control barrier formed around a storm drain inlet by the use of gravel and wire mesh.

Not determined yet.

862 - Inlet Protection-Sod Filter

A sediment filter formed around a storm drain drop inlet by the use of sod.

Not determined yet.

863 - Inlet Protection-Straw Bale Barrier

A temporary sediment control barrier formed around a storm drain drop inlet consisting of a row of entrenched and anchored straw bales.

Not determined yet.

865 - Land Grading

Reshaping the ground surface to planned grades as determined by engineering survey evaluation and layout.

Negligible.

Negligible to slight increase where length of slopes are extended.

Negligible to significant increase due to vehicular traffic.

Slight to significant increase or decrease due to altered soil profile.

Negligible to slight decrease due to increased plant utilization.

Not applicable.

Negligible.

870 - Level Spreader

A device used to disperse concentrated runoff over the ground surface as sheet flow.

Negligible to significant depending on location of level spreader to intercept and spread concentrated runoff.

Negligible.

Negligible to moderate decrease if water is diverted from top or slope and uniformly distributed.

Moderate to significant decrease due to interception of surface flow.

Negligible to significant depending on location on the slope.

Negligible.

Slight to significant decrease due to controlled runoff and reduced sedimentation.

Negligible to moderate decrease due to controlled runoff and reduced sedimentation.

Slight to significant decrease due to controlled runoff and reduced sedimentation.

Negligible to moderate decrease due to controlled runoff and reduced sedimentation.

875 - Mulching

The application of plant residues and other suitable materials to the soil surface.

Negligible to slight decrease due to reduced runoff.

Negligible.

Slight to moderate increase due to increased water infiltration.

Moderate to significant decrease due to increased surface cover

Moderate to significant decrease because of increased surface cover.

Slight to moderate decrease due to surface protection, increased infiltration, increased organic material and increased biological activity.

Slight to moderate decrease due to reduced evaporation.

Negligible.

Moderate to significant decrease due to reduced sediment yield.

Slight to moderate decrease due to reduced sediment yield.

Moderate to significant decrease due to reduced sediment yield.

Slight to moderate decrease due to reduced sediment yield.

880 - Permanent Vegetation

Establishing permanent vegetative cover to stabilize disturbed or exposed areas.

Slight to significant decrease due to vegetative cover and reduced runoff.

Moderate to slight increase due to vegetative cover and reduced runoff.

Slight to moderate increase due to increased water infiltration.

Significant decrease due to vegetative cover, improved root mass, and reduced runoff.

Moderate to significant decrease because of increased surface cover.

Moderate to significant decrease due to vegetative cover and root mass.

Negligible to slight decrease due to plant uptake and increased water infiltration.

Negligible.

Slight to significant decrease due to reduced runoff, vegetative cover and stabilization of critical areas.

Same as on-site damage.

Significant decrease due to reduced runoff and sedimentation.

Moderate to significant decrease due to reduced runoff and sedimentation.

890 - Permeable Pavement

A pavement consisting of materials having regularly interspersed void areas filled with pervious materials, such as vegetated soil, gravel or sand.

Not applicable.

Negligible to slight decrease due to reduced peak flows.

Slight to moderate increase due to increased water infiltration.

Negligible to slight decrease due to reduced peak flows.

Slight to moderate decrease due to reduced overland flow.

Negligible to slight increase depending on extent of vehicular traffic during practice installation.

Negligible.

Not applicable.

Slight to significant decrease due to protective cover and reduced sediment yield.

Same as on-site damage.

Slight to significant decrease due to protective cover and reduced sediment yield.

Same as on-site safety.

895 - Portable Sediment Tank

A compartmented container through which sediment-laden water is pumped to trap and retain the sediment.

Not applicable.

Slight to significant decrease in off-site damage due to retention of sediment in tank.

Not applicable.

Slight to significant decrease due to retention of sediment in tank.

900 - Right-of-Way Diversion

A ridge or ridge and channel constructed diagonally across a sloping road or utility right-of-way that is subject to erosion.

Slight to significant decrease due to interception of concentrated flow.

Not applicable to negligible.

Negligible to moderate decrease if water is directed from top of slope.

Moderate to significant due to interception of surface flow.

Negligible to slight decrease if slope length is reduced.

Negligible.

Negligible to slight decrease due to increased infiltration.

Negligible.

Slight to significant decrease due to reduced runoff and sedimentation.

Negligible to moderate decrease due to reduced runoff and sedimentation.

Slight to significant decrease due to reduced runoff and sedimentation.

Negligible to moderate decrease due to reduced runoff and sedimentation.

905 - Rock Check Dam

A small rock dam constructed across a grassed swale or road ditch.

Not determined yet.

910 - Rock Outlet Protection

A section of rock protection placed at the outlet end of culverts, conduits, or channels.

Significant decrease due to elimination of head cuts.

Negligible to significant decrease due to elimination of head cuts.

Not applicable.

Negligible to moderate decrease due to elimination of head cuts.

Not applicable.

Negligible to significant decrease due to controlling of head cutting and associated sediment yield.

Same as on-site damage.

Negligible to significant decrease due to controlling of head cutting and associated sediment yield.

Same as on-site safety.

920 - Silt Fence

A temporary barrier of entrenched geotextile fabric stretched across and attached to supporting posts used to intercept sediment-laden runoff from small drainage areas of disturbed soil.

Not applicable.

Slight to significant decrease in off-site damage due to retention of trapped sediment.

Negligible.

Not applicable.

Slight to significant decrease due to retention of trapped sediment.

Moderate to significant decrease due to retention of trapped sediment.

Slight to significant decrease due to retention of trapped sediment.

Moderate to significant decrease due to retention of trapped sediment.

925 - Sodding

Stabilization of fine graded disturbed areas by laying a continuous cover of grass sod.

Slight to significant decrease due to vegetative cover and reduced runoff.

Moderate to slight decrease due to vegetative cover and reduced runoff.

Slight to moderate increase due to increased water infiltration.

Significant decrease due to vegetative cover, improved root mass, and reduced runoff.

Moderate to significant decrease because of increased surface cover.

Moderate to significant decrease due to vegetative cover and root mass.

Negligible to slight decrease due to plant uptake and increased water infiltration.

Negligible.

Slight to significant decrease due to reduced runoff, vegetative cover and stabilization of critical areas.

Same as on-site damage.

Significant decrease due to reduced runoff and sedimentation.

Moderate to significant decrease due to reduced runoff and sedimentation.

930 - Stabilized Construction Entrance

A stabilized pad of aggregate underlain with filter fabric at any point where traffic enters or leaves a construction site to or from a public right-of-way, street, alley or parking area.

Not applicable.

Slight to moderate decrease due to protective cover on soil surface.

Negligible.

Not applicable.

Negligible to slight decrease due to reduced erosion and associated sediment yield.

Moderate to significant decrease due to reduced erosion and associated sediment yield.

Negligible to slight decrease due to reduced erosion and associated sediment yield.

Moderate to significant decrease due to reduced erosion and associated sediment yield.

935 - Straw Bale Barrier

A temporary barrier of entrenched and anchored straw bales used to intercept sediment-laden runoff from small drainage areas of disturbed soil.

Not applicable.

Slight to significant decrease in off-site damage due to retention of trapped sediment.

Negligible.

Not applicable.

Slight to significant decrease due to retention of trapped sediment.

Moderate to significant decrease due to retention of trapped sediment.

Slight to significant decrease due to retention of trapped sediment.

Moderate to significant decrease due to retention of trapped sediment.

940 - Structural Streambank Stabilization

Stabilization of eroding streambanks by use of designed structural measures.

Negligible.

Significant decrease due to stabilizing banks.

Significant decrease along unstable areas due to stabilization of the toe slope that was undermining the mass movement area.

Not applicable.

Negligible.

Not applicable.

Negligible to slight decrease due to limited area impacted.

Moderate to significant decrease because erosion provided high sediment delivery directly to stream system and in high water stages deposits on flood plain.

Negligible to slight decrease due to limited area impacted.

Slight to significant decrease due to reduced deposition in water courses that creates safety problem.

945 - Subsurface Drain

A conduit, such as corrugated plastic tubing, tile, or pipe, installed beneath the ground surface to collect and/or convey drainage water.

Slight decrease due to intercepting subsurface water moving laterally into gully.

Slight decrease due to intercepting water exiting to streambank.

Moderate to significant decrease due to removal of subsurface water which contributes to the instability of soil mass.

Moderate to significant decrease due to intercepting water that exits on roadbanks.

Negligible to slight decrease because of increased infiltration.

Slight to moderate decrease because excess water is removed from the soil profile.

Significant decrease in excess chemicals because water is used to leach out salts and sodium.

Significant decrease due to leaching of water soluble contaminants.

Negligible to slight decrease due to managed runoff and reduced sediment.

Same as on-site damage.

Negligible to slight decrease due to managed runoff and reduced sediment.

Same as on-site safety.

950 - Sump Pit

A temporary pit constructed to trap and filter water for pumping into a suitable discharge area.

Not applicable.

Negligible to slight decrease due to removal of ponded water at the toe slope of excavations that undermines the mass movement area.

Negligible to slight decrease in off-site damage due to the filtering of sediment-laden water.

Not applicable.

Negligible to slight decrease due to the filtering of sediment-laden water.

Slight to moderate decrease due to the filtering of sediment-laden water.

Negligible to slight decrease due to the filtering of sediment-laden water.

Slight to moderate decrease due to the filtering of sediment-laden water.

953 - Surface Roughening

A rough soil surface with horizontal grooves running across the slope on the contour, stair stepping, or tracking with construction equipment.

Not determined yet.

955 - Temporary Diversion

A temporary ridge or excavated channel or combination ridge and channel constructed across sloping land on a predetermined grade.

Slight to significant decrease due to the interception of concentrated flow.

Negligible due to reduction in overbank flow.

Negligible to moderate decrease if water is diverted from top of slope.

Moderate to significant decrease due to interception of surface flow.

Negligible to slight decrease if slope length is reduced.

Negligible.

Negligible to slight decrease due to increased infiltration.

Negligible.

Slight to significant decrease due to reduced runoff and sedimentation.

Negligible to moderate decrease due to reduced runoff and sedimentation.

Slight to significant decrease due to reduced runoff and sedimentation.

Negligible to moderate decrease due to reduced runoff and sedimentation.

960 - Temporary Sediment Trap

A small temporary ponding basin formed by construction of an embankment or excavated basin.

Slight to significant decrease below basin depending on storage available and area controlled.

Potential for slight increase because of increased infiltration depending on location of basin.

Slight to significant decrease below the basin because of reduced bedloads and/or reduced flows depending on storage available and area controlled.

Negligible.

Short-term increase in area of construction.

Negligible.

Moderate to significant decrease if located above siting area depending on storage available and area controlled.

965 - Temporary Seeding

Planting rapid-growing annual grasses or small grains to provide initial, temporary coverage for erosion control on disturbed areas.

Slight decrease because of vegetative cover and reduced runoff.

Moderate to slight decrease because of vegetative cover and reduced runoff.

Negligible.

Significant decrease because of vegetative cover, improved root mass, and reduced runoff.

Slight to significant decrease because of vegetative cover.

Slight to moderate decrease because of vegetative cover.

Negligible to slight decrease because of plant uptake and increased infiltration.

Not applicable.

Slight to significant decrease because of reduced runoff, vegetative cover and location of critical areas.

Slight to significant decrease because of reduced runoff and vegetative cover at sediment source of location.

Significant decrease because of reduced runoff and sedimentation.

Moderate to significant decrease because of reduced runoff and sedimentation.

970 - Temporary Slope Drain

A flexible tubing or rigid conduit extending temporarily from the top to the bottom of a cut or fill slope.

Negligible.

Negligible to slight decrease due to managed and guided runoff.

Not applicable.

Negligible.

Not applicable.

Slight to significant decrease due to managed and guided runoff and reduced sediment yield.

Same as on-site damage.

Slight to significant decrease due to managed and guided runoff and reduced sediment yield.

Same as on-site safety.

975 - Temporary Stream Crossing

A bridge, ford, or temporary structure installed across a stream or watercourse for short-term use by construction vehicles or heavy equipment.

Not applicable.

Slight to moderate decrease due to temporary stabilization of streambanks.

Negligible to slight decrease depending on location of crossing in relation to mass movement area.

Slight to moderate decrease due to temporary stabilization of streambanks.

Negligible.

Negligible to slight increase depending on size and type of equipment used to install crossing.

Not applicable.

Slight to significant decrease due to streambank protection and control of sediment entering watercourse.

Same as on-site damage.

Negligible.

980 - Temporary Swale

A temporary excavated drainageway.

Slight to significant decrease because of managed and guided runoff.

Slight to moderate decrease because of managed and guided runoff.

Not applicable.

Negligible to slight decrease because of managed and guided runoff.

Negligible.

Negligible to slight decrease because of managed runoff and reduced sedimentation.

981 - Topsoiling

Methods of preserving and using topsoil to enhance final site stabilization with vegetation.

Negligible.

Negligible to slight decrease where infiltration is improved.

Slight to moderate decrease because of increased vegetation and other site modifications.

Slight to significant decrease because of reclamation.

Not applicable.

Moderate to significant decrease because of increased vegetative cover, water management, stability, and decreased sediment yield.

984 - Tree and Forest Ecosystem Preservation

The preservation of contiguous stands of trees from damage during construction operations.

Not determined yet.

985 - Tree and Shrub Planting

Planting of selected trees and shrubs.

Slight to moderate decrease because of improved vegetative cover in watershed on long-term.

Negligible to significant decrease after trees become established because of soil binding by root mass and removal of soil moisture by increased transpiration.

Slight to significant decrease because of improved vigor on watershed and significant improvement after trees become established because of soil binding by root mass and removal of soil transpiration.

Slight to significant decrease long term because of vegetative cover.

Slight to significant decrease because of root development, litter accumulation and biological activity over the long term.

Negligible.

Slight to moderate decrease because of increased uptake of nutrients.

Moderate to significant decrease because of land use change and change in pesticide use.

Slight decrease because of reduced sediment yield.

Slight to moderate decrease because of reduced sediment yield.

990 - Tree Protection

The protection of individual trees from damage during construction operations.

Not applicable.

Negligible to slight decrease when trees on banks within the riparian strip are preserved.

Slight to significant decrease due to soil binding by root mass of established trees and removal of soil moisture by plant transpiration.

Slight to significant decrease due to soil binding by root mass of established trees.

Not applicable.

Slight decrease because of root development, litter accumulation and biological activity over the long term.

Negligible.

Slight decrease because of increased uptake of nutrients.

Moderate to significant decrease because of land use change and change in pesticide use.

Slight decrease because of reduced sediment yield.

991 - Tree Protection - Augering

Underground construction such as utility work by augering (tunneling) through an individual tree's Critical Root Zone (CRZ).

Not determined yet.

995 - Vegetative Streambank Stabilization

The stabilization and protection of eroding streambanks with selected vegetation.

Negligible.

Significant decrease because of stabilizing banks.

Significant decrease along unstable areas because of stabilization of toe slope that was undermining the mass movement area.

Not applicable.

Negligible.

Not applicable.

Negligible to slight decrease because of limited area impacted.

Moderate to significant decrease because erosion provided high sediment delivery directly to conveyance system and in high water stage deposits on flood plain.

Negligible to slight decrease because of limited area impacted.

Slight to significant decrease because of reduced deposition in water courses that creates safety problem.

996 - Well Decommissioning

The sealing and permanent closure of a water well, boring, or monitoring well.

Not determined yet.