What is Erosion?
The process of being eroded (gradually worn away) by wind, water, or other natural agents.
What are RipRaps and what are they used for?
Ripraps protect soil surfaces from water erosion by using huge, loose stones or pebbles arranged in a certain pattern. A permanent, erosion-resistant ground cover of large, loose, angular stone. Ripraps are made to protect slopes, streambanks, channels, or areas subject to erosion by wave action. They also protect the soil from erosion due to concentrated runoff. It is also used to stabilize slopes that are unstable due to seepage and used to slow the velocity of concentrated runoff which in turn increases the potential for infiltration. They could also be used to hold water in empty washes or low areas during heavy rainfall in the desert climate of Arizona. Ripraps are best alternatives as grass, brush, small rock, or granite does not survive these low areas since the water sits and causes the dirt to rise over them. (https://extension.arizona.
They are also used on planting areas/parking lots/wherever there are places where water flows into a basin to slow the water and prevent erosion.
Other reasons why ripraps are used:
1. Keeping the slope of rock from sliding down people’s landscaping
2. Keeping kids and pets from walking on people’s yards along sidewalks (its difficult to walk on)
3. Keeps small rocks from slipping onto driveways and sidewalks.
Why is Riprap important in Desert Climates?
Primarily, riprap is typically placed where land meets water and because of this, you might wonder why you would need this on your desert landscape. However, if you first hand live in Arizona, you would understand why erosion control is crucial in the desert as each monsoon season, sudden downpours happen. These are large enough to cause flash floods which easily wash away large volumes of soil. These can cause long-term consequences like loss and devaluing of real property, depletion of groundwater, loss of trees and other plant life, sediment deposition in less-than-ideal areas, and loss of wildlife habitat and biodiversity.
Luckily, ripraps provide a cheaper way to prevent these damaging consequences thanks to effective erosion control.
What are the benefits of using Ripraps?
Riprap offers an easy-to-use method for decreasing water velocity and protecting slopes from erosion. It is simple to install and maintain. It provides some water quality benefits by increasing roughness and decreasing the velocity of the flow, inducing settling. (https://themastercleangroup.
Ripraps can provide stability to the water features of your property once it’s installed and maintained correctly. It helps prevent and minimize erosion on your landscape. A good riprap will provide enough leeway to avoid accidents from happening. If your property has animals like, for example, Koi fish, these are popular for adding beauty to a pond. However, these Koi fishes or animals may be at risk without riprap protection.. (RIPRAP | West Valley.) Erosion can be prevented by different methods but a less costly option is the installation of rip rap. Wind Erosion is also a concern in Arizona. If your property is flat, barren, dry, and mainly composed of sandy soil, you need to consider adding an erosion control mechanism. Adding vegetation can be costly, rip raps are a cheaper and more effective alternative to add on your barren property. If your property is prone to water erosion like on drainage channels or streams, rip raps can help provide a stable lining that will resist water erosion. It is also recommended in areas where infiltration is needed.
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