GEOL 657
EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL/STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

Catalog Entry

GEOL 657. Erosion and Sediment Control/Stormwater Management
Three hours lecture (3).

Prerequisites: Graduate standing and eight hours of geology.

Taught concurrently with GEOL 457 with additional project requirements for graduate credit.

Detailed Description of Content of Course

Lecture Outline

I. Introduction

A. What is Erosion and Sediment Control?
B. Magnitude of the Erosion Problem
C. Stormwater Management Overview
D. Regulatory Environment
E. Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Law and Regulations

II. Precipitation and Infiltration

A. Hydrologic Cycle
B. Climate and Precipitation
C. Fate of Precipitation

III. Erosion and Types of Flow

A. Raindrop (Splash) Erosion
B. Sheet Erosion/Overland Flow
C. Rill and Gully Erosion/Shallow Concentrated Flow
D. Channel Erosion/Channel Flow

IV. Techniques of Runoff Estimation

A. The Rational Method
B. TR55

V. Sediment Erosion and Transport

A. Particle Size Scales
B. Settling Velocity
C. Water and Wind Transport of Sediment
D. Factors in Soil Erosion

VI. Estimation of Soil Loss

A. Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE)
B. Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE)
C. Storm-based Approach to Soil Loss Calculations

VII. Non-structural Methods of Erosion and Sediment Control

A. Vegetation
B. Mulches
C. Erosion Control Blankets
D. Soil Binders
E. Miscellaneous Techniques

VIII. Structural Methods of Erosion and Sediment Control

A. Water Conveyance Structures
B. Energy Dissipators
C. Streambank Protection
D. Subsurface Drains
E. Sediment Retention Structures

IX. Preparation of Erosion and Sediment Control Plans

A. Data Collection
B. Data Analysis
C. Development of Site Plan
D. Development of Erosion and Sediment Control Plan
E. Maintenance Checklist

X. Erosion and Sediment Control Plans: Case Studies

A. Crow Canyon Ranch, CA
B. Williamsburg, VA

In addition to mastering this course material, specific work required for graduate credit includes additional projects and/or papers beyond the regular course activities.

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

The first part of the course will be a mix of lectures by the professor and classroom discussion involving the students. To encourage the latter, key reference materials will be kept on reserve in the library. The students will be required to produce written summaries of current outside journal articles. To supplement the material presented in class, students will be required to solve mathematical problems involving techniques of runoff estimations, calculations of soil loss, and design of sediment retention ponds. In-class demonstrations of computer software available to perform runoff and soil loss calculations and to design stormwater management systems will also be used. Videos and slides concerning topics pertinent to the subject material will be presented.

The latter part of the course will involve extensive interaction with professionals in the field. In particular, personnel from the Virginia Division of Soil and Water Conservation are available for classroom presentations. At least one field trip is planned to view an active construction site with a guest professional. A second major activity toward the end of the course is preparation of a research paper and oral presentation of the subject material in class. Graduate students are required to complete a more extensive research paper and to present the results orally in a professional manner.

Goals and Objectives of Course

Having successfully completed this course, the student will:

(1) Understand the basic principles of erosion and sediment control and stormwater management, including the legal and regulatory aspects driving the application of these principles to disturbed land areas.
(2) Be familiar with the major techniques of estimating rainfall runoff and calculating the amount of soil loss from land areas disturbed by construction activities.
(3) Know how to read and summarize technical articles from current journals in the field.
(4) Have interacted with outside guest professionals in the field via both in-class activities and field trips.
(5) Have planned and written a well-organized scientific research paper designed around stringent and formal guidelines concerning the preparation of technical reports.
(6) Have presented orally the results of the technical topic chosen for the research paper analysis.
(7) Have obtained a strong foundation for a future career related to erosion and sediment control and surface water runoff management.

Assessment Measures

(1) Lecture written examinations
(2) Mathematical problem sets
(3) Summaries of required journal articles
(4) Research paper

a.) Technical content
b.) Proper writing skills

(5) Oral presentation of research paper

a.) Technical content
b.) Proper oral communication skills

Other Course Information

Approval and Subsequent Reviews

Date Action Reviewed by
March 1999