Soil erosion has been a problem for a while now. Due to modernization, people have put a lot of emphasis on development, at the expense of conserving the environment. The many cases of flooding and erosion in many parts of the world are worrying. Some of the reasons contributing to these environmental disasters are the fact that most people are not aware that some of the activities they do contribute to erosion and flooding. Fortunately, there are techniques that you could use to control soil erosion and floods. Flooding is a significant threat, especially when the water bodies pose a danger to the people and their property. This could even cause the deaths of people and animals. It is our sole responsibility to care for the environment we live in, even for the sake of future generations. Below are some of the measures you could take when preventing floods and erosion.
Direct Stormwater Into Your Lawn.
The reason flooding happens is because of the excess rainwater which doesn’t get absorbed into the ground. This excess rainwater finds its way into the lakes and oceans, increasing the volume of water to dangerous levels. To control stormwater runoff, you could consider using this excess water in your garden or lawn. By doing this, you allow the stormwater to spread out and get absorbed into the ground before getting into the drainage system. Allow the roof downspouts to discharge into the garden instead of piping all that water into the nearest stream. By doing this, you encourage natural filtration, and this reduces the amount of excess water that gets into the nearby stream.
Vegetation.
Vegetation plays a crucial role when it comes to preventing erosion as well as floods. The reason for this is that they protect the land by holding the soil together, making it difficult for it to be washed away by the rainwater. People living in low lying areas are also encouraged to plant more vegetation because of the high pressure of moving water, which tends to increase soil erosion. You could also apply mulch to the soil to prevent erosion. Mulch allows the soil to absorb the water, protecting it from the rain impacts.
Retaining Walls.
Building retaining walls is an excellent way to prevent erosion as well as flooding. It helps to reduce the speed of moving water and allows the vegetation time to grow. Furthermore, it allows the soil to hold together. Building retaining walls, as well as dams or reservoirs, helps to maintain the excess water during a storm, preventing the instances of flooding and soil erosion. If you want to maximize on rainwater effectively, you are advised to invest in reservoirs which tend to store rainwater. Retaining walls can be built by materials such as wood, concrete, or rock. To prevent the wood from rotting, ensure you use preservatives because wood is prone to rot.
As much as soil erosion and floods are destructive, there is something everyone can do to prevent these disasters. Champion for the planting of vegetation, direct rainwater into your lawn and build retaining walls if you want to deal with these problems. Preventing floods and erosion is possible if we take the responsibility upon ourselves.
