Connecticut CTDOT Erosion Control Products

Solmax DOT Standard Specification Product Chart (click image to expand)

Connecticut CTDOT - Erosion Control Methods

Connecticut jobs contend with glacial tills and varved clays, steep river valleys, tidal backwater along Long Island Sound, nor’easters, and long freeze–thaw seasons. Those forces can strip fresh cuts, gully channels, and carry fines into sensitive waterways. CTDOT’s approach layers products that (1) protect bare soil, (2) slow and spread runoff, and (3) capture sediment until vegetation takes over.

Rolled erosion control products (RECPs). On new embankments, slope repairs, and roadside swales, crews install straw, excelsior, coconut/coir, or blended blankets to shield soil and seed from rain splash, wind, and meltwater. Straw blankets fit short, gentle slopes and low-velocity swales; heavier coir or straw-coir mats handle longer grades and higher shear in ditch sections. Blankets are keyed into anchor trenches at crest and toe, lapped shingle-style, and pinned to manufacturer patterns—extra anchoring helps on coastal reaches where gusts and salt spray challenge fasteners.

Turf reinforcement mats (TRMs). Where velocities exceed temporary blanket limits—steep swales, outfalls, and channel bends—synthetic TRMs provide permanent reinforcement. Once vegetation roots through, the composite system withstands repeated storm events and drawdown, often reducing the amount of rock armoring needed in constrained corridors.

Hydraulic mulches and soil binders. Irregular, rocky cuts and broad slopes are treated with hydraulic applications: hydroseed with hydromulch, bonded fiber matrix (BFM), or flexible growth media (FGM). BFMs form a breathable crust that resists sheet flow yet allows germination—useful for quick cover between storm windows. Where straw mulch is used, it’s crimped into the soil and locked with tackifier or polymer binder to limit wind loss and protect seed during freeze–thaw.

Slope interrupters and perimeter controls. Fiber rolls (wattles) and compost filter socks placed on contour break long slope lengths, slow runoff, and trap sediment upslope before rills form. At the site boundary, silt fence excels in fine-grained soils when trenched and backfilled properly; in stony ground or tight urban footprints, heavier filter socks provide stability and easier maintenance.

Check structures and channels. Temporary rock or wattle check dams installed in construction ditches reduce velocities and drop out sediment. Spacing is set so each crest ponds water to the toe of the next, creating a stair-step energy dissipator. At culvert outlets, storm outfalls, and tidal transitions, crews pair blankets or TRMs with riprap over a filter layer; coir logs at the toe keep edges tight until vegetation takes hold. In high-energy or reversing-flow locations, articulated concrete block mats add durability while allowing vegetation in the cells.

Inlet protection and track-out control. Curb socks, drop-inlet inserts, and gravel rings around grates keep sediment from entering storm systems during grading and paving. Stabilized construction exits—coarse stone over geotextile—limit mud tracked onto public roads; sweeping is the backstop, especially where silts cling to tires.

Basins, traps, and stockpiles. Small sediment basins or traps intercept runoff from disturbed areas and provide settling volume before discharge. Topsoil stockpiles are promptly seeded and mulched or covered; perimeter wattles or fence contain fines during storms.

Seasonal strategy. With long winters and shoulder-season storms, crews use dormant seeding, mulch plus tackifier, and added anchoring on blankets before shutdowns. Salt-tolerant, region-appropriate seed mixes are matched to elevation and aspect; coir-rich blankets help conserve moisture on sunny exposures.

Inspection and maintenance. After major rains, nor’easters, or snowmelt, teams repair tears, reset stakes, empty inlet devices, remove accumulated sediment (commonly at half height), and reseed bare spots. Temporary controls are removed once vegetation is established and slopes and channels prove stable.

Bottom line: on CTDOT projects, erosion control isn’t one product—it’s a layered system. Blankets, TRMs, hydraulic mulches, wattles, silt fence, check dams, inlet protection, basins, and stabilized exits work together to tame stormwater, protect waterways, and give vegetation the foothold it needs to lock Connecticut’s soils in place.

Connecticut CTDOT