Blogs

IECA Pulse: Harnessing Biotechnical and Bioremediation Strategies for Erosion Control with Structural Plant-Based Solutions

By Jerry B. Sanders posted Oct 31, 2023
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Erosion is a natural process, but when it occurs at an accelerated rate due to human activities, it can have devastating consequences for the environment. Traditional methods of erosion control often involve hard engineering solutions like concrete structures and artificial barriers. While effective, these solutions can be expensive and detrimental to the environment. Fortunately, there's a more sustainable and natural approach to erosion control: bioengineering techniques. Bioengineering techniques leverage the power of nature to combat erosion and sediment runoff. In this blog post, we'll explore how these techniques work and why they are gaining popularity ...
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IECA Pulse: Unearthing Earth's Epic Past: The Missoula Floods of the Channeled Scabland

By Heather Gravning posted Sep 27, 2023
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The stage is set, the anticipation palpable, as we prepare to embark on a journey back in time, to an era when the world was a vastly different place. Imagine the Pacific Northwest, a land shaped not just by the steady hands of time but by cataclysmic events that defy imagination. This year at our annual conference, we are honored to present a keynote session that promises to leave you in awe: "The Ice-Age Missoula Floods of the Channeled Scabland - Two Stories of Science," presented by Geologist Jim O'Connor of the U.S. Geological Survey. When: Monday, February 26th | 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM Scenic photo from above of Dry Falls at Grand Coulee, ...
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President's message

By Paul Mueller posted Aug 10, 2023
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Welcome to the New Great Rivers Chapter IECA Website! If you're reading this, you've discovered the fresh website for the Great Rivers Chapter of the IECA. We've recently revamped our website's format to make it more accessible for updates by our Great Rivers Officers. This enhanced capability allows us to consistently provide you with the latest news, videos, and valuable links related to the dynamic field of stormwater management. We're particularly excited to direct your attention to the "Communities" tab. Here, you'll become part of a global network within the IECA community. Yes, the IECA is a truly worldwide organization. Under the "Communities" ...
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IECA Pulse – Silt Fence Alternatives

By Jerry B. Sanders posted Jul 18, 2023
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Exploring Sustainable Alternatives to Silt Fences for Erosion Control Construction and land development projects often face the challenge of controlling erosion and sediment runoff, particularly during the initial phases. While silt fences have been commonly used for perimeter control, their environmental impact and limited effectiveness have raised concerns. In this blog post, we will explore sustainable alternatives to silt fences for erosion control, with a focus on biodegradable and recyclable options that offer a greener approach to protecting our ecosystems. 1. The Environmental Impact of Silt Fences Silt fences have been widely used for their ...
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Call for Presentations: IECA Great Connections 2022

By Heather Gravning posted Jul 05, 2023
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IECA is currently accepting abstracts for the 2022 IECA Great Connections Conference St. Louis, MO July 26 – 28, 2022 For more information, or to submit an abstract, please click HERE . Hosted by: IECA – Region One, IECA – Great Lakes & Great Rivers Chapters Attendance: 150 people Presentation Length: 30 minutes or 1 hour Conference Information: The Great Lakes and Great Rivers Chapters of the International Erosion Control Association (IECA) along with IECA Region One invite you to participate in the 2022 IECA Great Connections Conference. The 2022 conference will be held on July 26 – 28 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel St. Louis -Chesterfield ...
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President’s Message 2022

By Heather Gravning posted Jul 05, 2023
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Well this is my first year as president and I look forward to serving the Great Rivers Chapter. I consider myself as a third generation soil conservationist. My grandfather, a pastor in the upper midwest, received the “Distinguished Service Award” from the “National Association of Soil Conservation Districts” for his work in developing the national “Soil Stewardship Week” and “Soil and Water Stewardship Sunday.” My father, a farmer in Iowa, served as chairman of the local USDA Soil Conservation District. He implemented many farming conservation practices and received awards for his conservation work from the Soil Conservation District, Izaak Walton League, ...
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President’s Message 2021

By Heather Gravning posted Jul 05, 2023
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I hope everyone is ready for spring and to put COVID behind us. I was excited to receive my first COVID vaccination shot last week! I hope everyone is doing well. This first full year as President had a common theme; either canceling an event due to COVID or going virtual. Our Fall Conference, scheduled for October 2020 in Omaha, was canceled due to COVID. We were able to team up with the Great Lakes Chapter to hold the fourth Bi-Annual Great Connections Conference & Expo in St. Louis in July of 2020 but we were forced to go virtual. The Great Rivers and Great Lakes Chapter were the first chapters to hold an all virtual conference and were the guinea ...
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President’s Message 2019

By Heather Gravning posted Jul 05, 2023
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I hope everyone is off to a busy and productive spring season. Throughout our Chapter, significant snowfall and unprecedented flooding has challenged the beginning of the 2019 construction season. In Nebraska, this has led to probably the largest single erosional event in history. Now that many roads are back open to traffic, we are challenged with the task of re-stabilizing and re-vegetating the areas that were damaged by flood waters. While many of these projects are small in nature, cumulatively they have strained resources; from designers that prepare the plans, to contractors that need to complete the work, to material suppliers trying to provide necessary ...
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2023 MAC Summer Newsletter

By Dylan Drudul posted Jun 22, 2023
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IN THIS ISSUE President’s Message 30th Annual MAC IECA Annual Conference & Expo A Lookback on 30 Years of the MAC 5th Annual "The Masters " Golf Tournament Welcome Reception at LB SkyBar Update: MDE 20CP General Permit MAC IECA Student Scholarship President's Message Cheers! I hope this Summer finds you and your family as healthy and as happy as can be! Can you believe that the MAC-IECA has been around for over 30 years? Crazy, right? Please reach out to Charlie, John, Robert, Dave & others to ask them about their stories from the early stages of getting this ...
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IECA Pulse: Understanding the Difference: Structural BMPs vs. Non-Structural BMPs in Erosion and Sediment Control

By Jerry B. Sanders posted Jun 20, 2023
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As erosion and sediment control experts, we are dedicated to protecting our environment and mitigating the adverse effects of soil erosion. In this article, we will delve into the world of Best Management Practices (BMPs) and shed light on two key categories: structural BMPs and non-structural BMPs. Understanding the distinction between these approaches is essential for implementing effective erosion and sediment control strategies. First, let’s keep in mind that Structural BMPs (SBMP) almost always have a Non-structural BMP (NSBMP) associated with them to make the SBMP work. Silt fence (SBMP) needs planning, budgeting, proper installation, maintenance, ...
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Broken 16 Inch Water Main

By Dave Jenkins posted May 31, 2023
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This mess was caused by a broken 16 inch waterline. Fortunately, all of the muddy water was contained in a 72″ storm pipe with a valve. Water was then pumped to a Chitosan-enhanced Sand Filtration (CESF) system for treatment to 5 NTUs for discharge to a creek. Knowing this project was going to be constructed over several winter seasons, we specified the CESF system in the contract. Always Be Prepared! Photo: Dave Jenkins, CPESC
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IECA Pulse: PFAS and Its Impact on Stormwater Management: What You Need to Know

By Jerry B. Sanders posted May 23, 2023
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Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that have been widely used in various industrial and commercial applications since the 1940s. They are commonly found in firefighting foam, non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, and many other consumer products. PFAS are known as "forever chemicals" because they do not break down easily in the environment and can persist for decades. Recent studies have shown that PFAS can contaminate the environment, including our water resources. Stormwater runoff is one of the main pathways for PFAS to enter the environment. Stormwater is water that runs off from rooftops, roads, and other impervious ...
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Speak at IECA 2024 Annual Conference & Expo - February, 2024

By Joanna Fetherolf posted May 23, 2023
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IECA invites you to submit an abstract for the 2024 IECA Annual Conference & Expo! The IECA Annual Conference serves as a platform to share case studies, exchange knowledge, best practices and showcase the latest advancements in the field. One of the primary goals of the conference is to highlight the incredible work accomplished by our members and community on an international scale. This is an exceptional opportunity to present projects, research findings, innovative solutions, and success stories to a diverse and engaged audience. By participating in the conference, you will have the chance to elevate your work, gain recognition and contribute to the ...
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Biodegradable wattles

By Dave Jenkins posted May 17, 2023
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Biodegradable Wattles I wrote this biodegradable wattles specification for a riverbank habitat restoration project. I wrote the last three sentences for this particular project, which has a 3:1 slope above an intertidal river. We will place 12 inches of compost before installing native plants this winter; without the wattles, wet compost will slide to the base of the slope. BIODEGRADABLE WATTLES Wattles shall consist of 100% biodegradable straw, coir, excelsior or compost encased in 100% biodegradable fabric or mesh. Wattles shall be a minimum of 8 inches in diameter free of cuts tears and damage. The installation of straw wattles shall be ...
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I Can't Get Away From Erosion Control

By Dave Jenkins posted May 03, 2023
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I can’t get away from it. It doesn’t matter where I go, I always see some type of construction erosion issue. I went to visit relatives in Portland, Maine, flying in and out of Boston Logan International. In the terminal, waiting for my flight back home, I saw a construction project on the ramp; it had rained a few says before, hard. Obviously, the stockpile had not been covered before the storm and sediment washed off the pile into the drain. I worked at an airport that operates under strict turbidity effluent limits; here is how they do this kind of work: (1) rarely do they allow stockpiles on the ramp because they rarely reuse the excavated material (it ...
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CESCL Pro Tip No. 1 Grout Storm System Structures

By Dave Jenkins posted Apr 21, 2023
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Check to make sure all manholes, rings, pipes, and other storm-related materials are grouted as soon as possible. Often, grouting takes place after most or all structures are installed. If it rains in the mean time, muddy water can easily enter the storm system. If the system has been connected to a live system, that means non-compliant discharges. If it is not connected, the system will have to be cleaned out before it becomes live. Check out the full video on CESCL tips at: https://lnkd.in/gN6rQkRG #shorts #ieca #cescl #storm #grouting #pnwieca
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Too Much Rain

By Dave Jenkins posted Apr 19, 2023
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Sometimes there’s just too much rain. We were building a new runway, had several hundred acres of open ground, when the big rains came. We were using the stormwater ponds to collect all of the water for a 10 year 7 day storm event. All of the water in the ponds was being treated with chitosan-enhanced sand filtration systems before discharge. The storm of November 6, 2006 was something over the 50 year 24 hour event and something under the 100 year 24 hour event. With the rainfall and the pond over topping, water was discovered draining from the base of the pond. Rock and ecoblocks were placed as an emergency fix to keep the pond from a catastrophic failure. ...
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Volunteer Appreciation Month

By Jerry B. Sanders posted Apr 19, 2023
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As a non-profit association professional, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of volunteering. Volunteers are the lifeblood of any organization, and their contributions are invaluable. Volunteering not only benefits the organization but also the volunteers themselves. At IECA, we are fortunate to have a dedicated group of volunteers who serve on the board of directors and our chapter board members. Their hard work and commitment to our mission help us make a positive impact in the world. Volunteering provides numerous benefits to the volunteers themselves. Here are just a few: Personal Growth: Volunteering allows individuals to develop new skills ...
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Secondary Containment Fail

By Dave Jenkins posted Apr 12, 2023
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Why did they fail to put everything into secondary containment? #SecondaryContainment Photo: Dave Jenkins, CPESC ​
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Hydroseeding on the Edge

By Dave Jenkins posted Apr 05, 2023
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Finishing the hydroseeding bonded fiber matrix (BFM) along shoulder of runway at Sea Tac International Airport. The area has been amended with compost, track walked, BFM applied to cover 95% minimum. After the BFM cures, the area will be watered to obtain 85% grass cover as soon as possible. 100% nitrogen fertilizer used, 50% slow release, 50% regular. Because of rainfall, nitrogen in the soil is washed out. Phosphorus and potassium test okay in the soil, no need to add more. Time restrictions requiring opening the runway as soon as possible necessitate these measures. Photo: Dave Jenkins, CPESC
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