Nothing disrupts a project faster than standing water, clogged inlets, and muddy runoff. By dawn, your site might look tidier, but by mid-afternoon, an EGLE inspector could issue a red tag, standing in a muddy plume flowing toward the storm drain. Erosion control isn’t just “install silt fence”—it’s a proactive, managed system that keeps you compliant, on schedule, and out of the off-site sediment business.

Common Erosion Control Pitfalls

• Wrong Product, Wrong Place: A single roll of silt fence on flat terrain fails on any slope. Without proper wattles or berms, runoff bypasses controls.
• Late Installation: Controls must go in before excavation, not after the dozer moves soil.
• Neglected Maintenance: Inlet protection and silt fences quickly become clogged with sediment without regular cleaning, rendering them ineffective.
• Missing Documentation: EGLE and county SESC officers require a detailed Erosion & Sediment Control (ESC) plan, plus logs of inspections and rainfall events.

Our Erosion Control Sequence

1. Site Assessment & Grading
   We begin by mapping water flow patterns across your lot. Using GPS-guided mass grading, we shape the land to direct clean water around disturbed zones, reducing erosion at the source.
2. Control Selection & Placement
   • Sheet Flow Areas: Silt fence backed by straw wattles.
   • Steep Cuts or Stockpiles: Double rows of staked wattles or temporary earth berms.
   • Concentrated Flows (ditches, culverts): Rock check dams and stabilized outlets to dissipate energy.
3. Stabilized Entrances—Day One
   We install a geotextile layer with 3–6″ clean stone at site entrances to prevent trucks from tracking mud onto public roads. For long-haul routes, we provide concrete wash pads.
4. Clean Water Diversion
   Temporary swales or pipes route clean, upstream runoff around active work areas. Preventing clean water from mixing with sediment is key to preserving control effectiveness.
5. Temporary & Permanent Stabilization
   Any area left inactive for more than 14 days receives seed and mulch. This temporary cover reduces erosion until permanent landscaping can be installed.

EGLE’s Non-Negotiables

• Off-Site Sediment: Any mud leaving your boundary can trigger a notice.
• Improper Material Storage: Stockpiled soil near drains or wetlands without protection draws immediate scrutiny.
• Outstanding Correction Orders: Failing to address red-tagged issues leads to fines.
• SESC Permits: Disturbing more than one acre requires a permit—no exceptions.

Why Thomas Excavation Handles It Better

• Integrated ESC & Earthwork: We install erosion controls as part of our grading and excavation scope, ensuring no delay between earthmoving and protection.
• Technology-Driven Precision: GPS and laser equipment deliver exact elevations for swales, berms, and inlet structures.
• SEDP Plan Development: Working with certified SESC professionals, we deliver plans that accurately match field conditions and pass county review without requiring revisions.
• Ongoing Inspections: Our crews perform post-rain inspections, documenting conditions with timestamps and photos for your records.

Keep Dust, Mud, and Delays at Bay

Proactive erosion control means no stop-work orders, no emergency cleanup crews, and no added costs. Let Thomas Excavation set up, maintain, and remove all necessary controls on your next project site. Keep the water where it belongs—off the streets and out of your schedule.

Ready to cement compliance and continuity? Contact Thomas Excavation today for a site evaluation and ESC planning support. We’ll keep your project dry, legal, and moving forward.