United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service
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Colorado Engineering Practice Selection Guide

Practice Selection Guide: Page 1: Slope Protection | Runoff Control | Straw Bale Barrier | Sediment Control
Practice Selection Guide: Page 2: Rd/Trail Protection | Other Protection | Burn Intensity Sheet | HydrophobicitySheet 

Practice

Influence
of Land Treatment 
1-Slight
2-Moderate
3-Significant
Brief Definition

Sheet & Rill Erosion

Rill & Gully Erosion

Channel Erosion

Increased Peak Flow

  Flood Damage

Sediment Damage

Slope
Protection Practices
             
Seeding Establishing temporary or permanent vegetative cover

3

2

2

2

1

3

Contour
Scarification
Tilling the soil surface on the contour with machinery

2

1

1

2/3

2/3

2/4

Hand Raking Tilling the soil surface by hand

1

1

1

1/2

1/2

1/3

Mulching Spreading & anchoring material to protect soil surface

3

2

2

    

2

Hydroseeding & Hydromulching Hydraulically applied seed and mulch

3

2

2

   

3

Erosion Control Netting Organic or inorganic erosion netting

3

2

2

     

1

Contour Log Felling Cutting logs in direction to control erosion

1

2

1

 

1

1

Contour Log Terracing Cutting and placing logs on contour to control erosion

3

2

1

 

1

Contour Sandbagging Placing sandbags on contour to control erosion

3

2

1

  

1

1

Contour Straw Wattles Placing and staking wattles on contour to control erosion

3

2

1

  

1

1

Runoff Control Practices

               
Diversion Channel Channel and ridge constructed to collect and divert runoff

1

3

1

3

3

Dike Earthen barrier for flood proofing/runoff diversion

1

     

3

3

Channel Roughening Using logs & other materials to control channel erosion  

2

2

1

1

Rock Outlet Protection Rock area at outlets to reduce flow erosion  

3

2

2

2

Hillside Home Drainage Homeowner tips to prevent flood/drainage problems  

3

    

2

2

Sandbag Barrier

Sandbag barrier used for flood proofing/runoff diversion        

2

2

Straw Bale Barrier

Bale barrier used for flood proofing/ runoff diversion            

2

2

Wire & Fabric Gabion Barrier Home made wall for flood proofing/ runoff diversion            

3

3

Sediment  Contol
Practices
              
Silt Fence Temporary sediment barrier of filter fabric & wire fencing           

1/2

Straw Bale Check Dam Temporary erosion & sediment control in small channels   

1

1

     

1

Rock Check Dam Erosion & sediment control in small channels   

3

3

   

2

Post & Wire Check Dam Erosion & sediment control in small channels  

3

3

    

2

Log Check Dam

Erosion & sediment control in small channels  

3

3

   

2

Debris/Sediment Basin

Dam or structure to trap debris and sediment   

3

      

3

NRCS-CO Practice Selection Guide Continued - Part 2