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Washington WSDOT Erosion Control Products

Washington WSDOT - 9-11.1 - Waterproof Membrane - 12
Washington WSDOT - 9-11.1 - Waterproof Membrane - 12
Washington WSDOT - 9-11.1 - Waterproof Membrane - 12
Washington WSDOT - 9-11.1 - Waterproof Membrane - 12

Washington WSDOT - 9-11.1 - Waterproof Membrane - 12" x 108' - PT4591-12

$299.40
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Solmax DOT Standard Specification Product Chart (click image to expand)

Washington WSDOT  - Erosion Control Methods

Washington jobs span saturated coastal lowlands and tidal flats around Puget Sound, dense glacial tills on the lowlands, steep Coast Range and Cascade corridors, loessy hills in the Palouse, and arid basins east of the mountains. Add “atmospheric river” rain events, spring snowmelt, wildfire burn scars that shed debris, and freeze–thaw east of the Cascades, and freshly disturbed soils can unravel fast. WSDOT pairs thoughtful sequencing with a toolbox that (1) protects bare soil, (2) slows and spreads runoff, and (3) captures sediment before it reaches salmon-bearing streams and storm systems.

Rolled erosion control products (RECPs). On new embankments, slope repairs, and 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 typical of channelized flow. Blankets are trenched at crest and toe, overlapped shingle-style downslope, and stapled to manufacturer patterns—with extra anchoring on windy headlands and mountain passes. Along streams and tide-influenced shorelines, coir logs toe-in blanket edges and hold the line until vegetation takes over.

Turf-reinforcement mats (TRMs). Where velocities exceed blanket limits—steep ditch reaches, culvert outlets, tight bends, tidal drawdown zones—synthetic TRMs provide long-life reinforcement. Once roots knit through the mat, the vegetated composite withstands repeated storm events and fluctuating stages better than bare soil and can reduce the amount of riprap needed in constrained rights-of-way.

Hydraulic mulches and soil binders. Irregular cuts and rocky slopes are stabilized with hydroseed plus hydromulch, bonded fiber matrix (BFM), or flexible growth media (FGM). BFMs form a breathable crust that resists sheet flow yet allows germination—ideal for quick cover between storm windows. On dry, windy east-side sites, straw mulch is crimped into the surface and locked with tackifier or polymer binder so it won’t blow or float before roots establish.

Slope interrupters and perimeter controls. Fiber rolls (wattles) and compost filter socks placed on contour break long slope lengths, slow runoff, and trap sediment before rills form. At the project boundary, silt fence excels in fine-grained tills when trenched and backfilled correctly; on stony shoulders or near traffic, heavier filter socks provide stability and easier maintenance. The goal is to intercept sheet flow high on the slope so water never gains erosive energy.

Check structures and channels. Temporary rock or wattle check dams in construction ditches reduce velocities and drop out sediment. Spacing is set so each crest ponds water to the toe of the next, creating stair-step energy dissipation. At culvert outlets, storm outfalls, and coastal transitions, crews pair RECPs or TRMs with riprap over an appropriate filter layer; in very high-shear or reversing-flow zones, 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 diaphragms or rings around grates keep sediment out of storm systems during grading and paving. Stabilized construction exits—coarse stone over geotextile—limit mud tracked onto public roads; sweeping backs them up in wet seasons.

Basins, traps, stockpiles, and post-fire response. Sediment basins or traps intercept runoff from disturbed areas and provide settling time before discharge; temporary slope drains safely convey water down steep fills early in construction. Topsoil stockpiles are promptly seeded and mulched or covered; perimeter wattles or fence contain fines. After wildfires, WSDOT often layers BFM for immediate cover, wattles on contour to arrest rilling, and robust outlet armoring to handle ash-laden peaks.

Seasonal strategy and upkeep. Timing matches climate: late-fall seeding west of the Cascades, spring and early-fall windows east of them, with native mixes tailored to aspect and moisture. After major storms, melt, or tide events, crews repair tears, reset stakes, clean inlet devices, remove accumulated sediment (often at half height), and reseed bare spots. Temporary controls are removed once vegetation is dense and slopes and channels prove stable.

Bottom line: on WSDOT projects, erosion control isn’t one product—it’s a layered system that tames heavy rain and snowmelt, protects waterways, and gives vegetation the foothold it needs to lock Washington’s soils in place.

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Washington WSDOT