Tremendous strides have been made over the years in the control of erosion and sediment. Tools and techniques have never been more sophisticated. Today, landscape contractors and homeowners can ensure that their site will resist the stress of erosion almost indefinitely.

Erosion and sediment control plans for different kinds of projects have much in common. Foremost among these is the need to protect the soil surface from the erosive impact of falling raindrops. Growing a strand of grass or providing a protective layer of straw mulch can achieve this.

Another major element in erosion prevention is controlling the flow of rain water once it has fallen. This is done by using a series of diversion ditches and earth berms to direct the flow to a safe discharge point. Structural control can be constructed during grading operations without the need for additional equipment. Besides preventing erosion of slopes, ditches and berms are used to remove from flat areas, such as house pads. Whenever feasible, erosion and sediment control plans should make use of permanent channels on the site. These channels can be lined with durable material such as riprap, asphalt or concrete, and serve the essential function of diverting the flowing water to a specific location.