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NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE CONSERVATION PRACTICE STANDARD

SEDIMENT BASIN (No.)

CODE 350

DEFINITION • The Hazard Class of the dam is Low. A basin constructed with an engineered outlet, formed by an embankment or excavation or a CRITERIA combination of the two. Sediment basin design and construction must comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. PURPOSE Location. Sediment basins are the last line of To capture and detain sediment laden runoff, defense for capturing sediment when or other debris for a sufficient length of time to has already occurred. When possible allow it to settle out in the basin. construct basins prior to soil disturbance in the watershed. Choose the location of the CONDITIONS WHERE PRACTICE APPLIES sediment basin so that it intercepts as much of the runoff as possible from the disturbed area This practice applies to urban land, of the watershed. Choose a location that construction sites, agricultural land, and other minimizes the number of entry points for runoff disturbed lands: into the basin and interference with • Where physical conditions or land construction or farming activities. Do not ownership preclude treatment of a locate sediment basins in perennial streams. sediment source by the installation of Basin Capacity. The sediment basin must erosion-control measures. have sediment storage capacity, detention • Where a sediment basin offers the most storage and temporary flood storage practical solution. capacities. For maximum sediment retention, design the basin so that the detention storage • Where failure of the basin will not result in remains full of water between storm events. loss of life, damage to homes, commercial However, if site conditions, safety concerns, or or industrial buildings, main highways or local laws preclude a permanent pool of water, railroads; or in the use of public utilities. design all or a portion of the detention and • The product of the storage times the sediment storages to be dewatered between effective height of the dam is less than storm events. 3,000. Storage is the volume, in acre-feet, Design the sediment storage for a minimum of in the reservoir below the elevation of the 3 900 ft /acre of disturbed area. The sediment crest of the auxiliary spillway. storage volume is calculated from the bottom • The effective height of the dam is 35 feet of the basin. Design the detention storage for or less. The effective height of the dam is a minimum of 3600 ft3/acre of drainage area. the difference in elevation, in feet, between The detention volume is calculated from the the auxiliary spillway crest and the lowest top of the sediment storage to the crest of the point in the cross section taken along the principal spillway. centerline of the dam.

Conservation practice standards are reviewed periodically and updated if needed. To obtain NRCS, NHCP the current version of this standard, contact your Natural Resources Conservation Service State Office or visit the Field Office Technical Guide. January 2010 350 - 2

Required Sediment Basin Storage Capacities

Flood Storage Auxiliary Spillway Based on aux. spwy. flow reqmt. 1.0' min.

Detention Principal Spillway Storage 3600 cu. ft./acre

Sediment Storage 900 cu. ft./acre

Flood storage is based on the required design Embankment and Side Slopes. If the storm for the auxiliary spillways. Flood storage sediment basin includes an embankment, it is calculated between the crest of the principal must be constructed of well compacted soil spillway and the crest of the auxiliary spillway. with stable side slopes. Refer to NRCS A minimum of 1 foot in elevation is required Conservation Practice Standard 378, for between the principal and auxiliary spillways. design requirements for the embankment. Principal and Auxiliary Spillway Design Above the permanent water line, the side Design the principal spillway to carry long- slopes of the pool area must be 3 horizontal to duration, continuous, or frequent flows without 1 vertical or flatter. Side slopes below the discharge through the auxiliary spillway. The permanent water line can be as steep as 2 diameter of the principal spillway pipe must be horizontal to 1 vertical. 6 inches or greater. Vegetation. Establish vegetation on the The principal spillway can be designed to embankment and side slopes of the basin and remove only water from the temporary flood pool area immediately after construction. storage or it can be designed to dewater all or Refer to NRCS Conservation Practice part of the detention storage. Design the Standard 342, Critical Area Planting for criteria principal spillway to drawdown the temporary for the establishment of vegetation. If flood storage within 24 hours. Drawdown construction takes place during a time period times for the detention storage can be longer to that is not conducive to establishing vegetation, improve sediment trapping. protect the embankment by mulching or other Design the auxiliary spillway to pass large methods. Refer to NRCS Conservation storms without damage to the basin. Refer to Practice Standard 484, Mulching for mulching NRCS Conservation Practice Standard 378, criteria. for the required design storm and design criteria for the auxiliary spillways. If arid climatic conditions do not allow for the establishment of vegetation other means of The outlet of the principal spillway must be reducing erosion may be used. stable for anticipated design flow conditions. Basin Shape. Design basins with a length to Safety. Sediment basins are often installed in width ratio of 2 to 1 or greater. Baffles to divert developing areas and can be an attractive the flow in the basin can be used to lengthen nuisance and safety hazard to the public. the flow path of incoming water to achieve the Design with the safety of the public in mind. required length to width ratio. Where appropriate, include safety features

NRCS, NHCP January 2010 350 - 3 such as fencing to limit access to the pool area and Planning and Design and embankment, signs to warn of danger and Manual. a safety ledge below the water level 6 feet wide • Maintaining a permanent pool also and 4 horizontal to 1 vertical (4:1) or flatter improves sediment trapping by reducing around the edge of the permanent pool. the re-suspension of sediment in the basin. This can be accomplished by only CONSIDERATIONS dewatering the temporary flood storage or only a portion of the detention storage. A large sediment basin may have an effect on Removal of sediment from the basin the peak discharge rate from a watershed. before it reaches the sediment storage Planners should consider this, and take steps elevation will maintain the pool volume and to mitigate any potential negative effects this improve trapping efficiency. may have on riparian habitat downstream from the structure. • Turbulence in the basin can be reduced by constructing porous baffles that extend In many cases the use of a sediment basin across the entire basin. The baffles slow alone may not provide sufficient protection for down flows and force water to spread offsite sedimentation problems. To work most across the entire width of the basin. A effectively, the sediment basin should be the thorough discussion and design criteria for last practice in a series of and porous baffles can be found in the North sediment capturing practices installed in the Carolina Erosion and Sediment Control disturbed area. This incremental approach will Planning and Design Manual. reduce the load on the basin and improve effectiveness of the overall effort to prevent • For very fine grained sediments, offsite sedimentation problems. flocculants can be added to the runoff before it enters the basin. One commonly The efficiency of sediment removal in a basin used flocculant is anionic polyacrylamide is affected by the detention time of runoff, the (PAM). Do not use cationic polyacrylamide type of dewatering device, the presence of a because it can be toxic to aquatic life. permanent pool in the basin, a decrease in turbulence in the basin and soil particle size. Since the sediment basin must be designed to The uses of the following techniques are handle all of the contributing drainage whether particularly effective if there is a need to it is from disturbed areas or not, diverting remove clay and other fine grained particles. runoff from undisturbed areas away from the basin will improve the function of the basin. • Detention time can be increased by The design storm for diversion measures increasing the storage volume in the basin. should be equal to the design storm for the Increased storage along with a properly auxiliary spillway of the basin. designed dewatering device can significantly improve the efficiency of The use of forebays that are separate from the sediment capture. main basin, and easily accessible for cleanout will reduce turbulence and will allow larger • Dewatering should be done in a manner particles to settle out of the runoff before it which removes the cleaner water above enters the main basin. the sediment storage, without removing the sediment laden water found deeper in the Because the sediment storage capacity of a basin. One dewatering device that has basin is finite, choose a location that will allow been very successful is a skimming access for sediment removal when the storage devices that floats on the surface of the capacity is full. water and rises and falls with the water Visual aesthetics may be a concern, especially level in the basin. Use of this type of in urban or suburban areas. To address these dewatering device should improve the concerns, design the basin to blend with the quality of the water leaving the basin. surrounding topography, or use plantings to Details for this type of dewatering device screen the view from surrounding homes or can be found in the North Carolina Erosion buildings. NRCS, NHCP January 2010 350 - 4

In some situations, after they have served the 3. Prompt removal of sediment when it sediment capture function, sediment basins reaches pre-determined storage may remain in place to function as elevations. detention or wildlife ponds. This will require 4. Periodic mowing of vegetation to control of appropriate planning during the design phase trees, brush and invasive species. to ensure that the basin can function for a different use. In addition, significant 5. Periodic inspection of safety components modifications to outlet structures may need to and immediate repair if necessary. be made as well as removal of accumulated sediment to convert it to a new use. REFERENCES If the basin will be used by wildlife, the use of California Stormwater Quality Association. native species is recommended to provide food 2003. California Stormwater BMP Handbook, and habitat diversity. Also, consider wildlife Construction. Menlo Park, CA. use of the basin when scheduling maintenance activities that may disrupt wildlife life cycles or Center for Watershed Protection. 2000. negatively impact pollinators. Improving the Trapping Efficiency of Sediment Basins, Article 58, The Practice of Watershed Protection: Techniques for Protecting and PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS Restoring Urban Watersheds. Ellicott City, MD. Prepare plans and specifications for sediment Department of Conservation and Recreation, basins that describe the requirements for Commonwealth of Virginia. 1992. Virginia applying the practice according to this rd Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook, 3 standard. Include as a minimum, the following Edition, Richmond, VA in the plans and specifications: Jarrett, A. R. August 1998. Controlling the 1. A plan view of the layout of the sediment Dewatering of Sedimentation Basins, basin. Agricultural and Biological Engineering, 2. Typical cross sections of the basin. Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA. 3. Details of the outlet system North Carolina Department of Environmental 4. Seeding requirements if needed. and Natural Resources, Division of Land 5. Construction specifications that describe in Resources. 2006. North Carolina Erosion and writing site specific installation Sediment Control Planning and Design requirements of the sediment basin. Manual. Raleigh, NC. Tennessee Erosion and Sediment Control OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE Handbook . 2002. Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. Nashville, TN Prepare an operation and maintenance plan for the operator. The minimum requirements to be USDA Natural Resources Conservation addressed in the operation and maintenance Service & Illinois Environmental Protection plan are: Agency. 2002. Illinois Urban Manual. Champaign, IL. 1. Periodic inspections and maintenance of the embankment, principal and auxiliary USDA Natural Resources Conservation spillways and dewatering device especially Service. 1983. National Engineering following significant runoff events. Handbook, Section 3 – Sedimentation. Washington, DC 2. Prompt repair or replacement of damaged components.

NRCS, NHCP January 2010