Comparative Evaluation of Wattle Ditch Checks Composed of Differing Materials and Properties
Publication: Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 141, Issue 2
Abstract
Construction and development activities can generate new sources of water pollution by increasing storm-water runoff and erosion. Wattle ditch checks may be used on construction sites to mitigate channelized runoff by impounding water, reducing erosive forces associated with runoff, and creating favorable conditions for sedimentation. This research was conducted at the Auburn University Erosion and Sediment Control Testing Facility (AU-ESCTF) to comparatively analyze eight different wattles composed of wheat straw, excelsior, or synthetic materials to understand the effect materials and dimensions have on wattle performance. This study showed that for a flow rate of , all three materials performed significantly differently. However, as flows increase to 32 and , the excelsior and wheat straw wattles performed similarly when considering hydraulic performance and product density. The synthetic material performed significantly different by impounding more water under all flow conditions even though it was 66 and 147% less dense than the excelsior and wheat straw wattles, respectively.
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Acknowledgments
This paper is based on a study sponsored by ALDOT. The authors gratefully acknowledge this financial support. The findings, opinions, and conclusions expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the sponsor.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 141 • Issue 2 • February 2015
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Oct 18, 2013
Accepted: Jun 19, 2014
Published online: Jul 30, 2014
Discussion open until: Dec 30, 2014
Published in print: Feb 1, 2015
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