Evaluation of Strategies to Control Erosion along U.S. Highway 50 between Carson City and Lake Tahoe

Severe erosion is occurring at several locations in the Clear Creek watershed along U.S. Highway 50 between Carson City and Lake Tahoe. Surface water runoff from seasonal snowmelt or infrequent high intensity rain events has caused erosion and the transport of substantial quantities of soil and sediment. Erosion has caused problems related to slope stability along roadways and increased maintenance requirements, especially those associated with drainage structures. The physical characteristics of the upper Clear Creek watershed including steep slopes, thin soil sections, and highly weathered bedrock allows for erosion to proceed unchecked. The erosion has manifested itself in the form of deep gullies and rilled slopes. Corrective action must be taken to limit the erosion of soil and transport of sediment during runoff events. The Hydraulics Section of the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) has committed significant funding over the next several years to implement erosion control strategies. Numerous erosion control products are commercially available. However, the effectiveness and suitability of these products is often difficult to predict. This research project investigated just some of the many erosion control strategies for channel protection. A combination of laboratory flume studies and field studies were conducted to assess the performance of potential rolled erosion control products (RECPs).

• Record URL:
  https://www.nevadadot.com/home/showdocument?id=3860
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Nevada, Reno

  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  Reno, NV  United States  89557

  Nevada Department of Transportation

  1263 South Stewart Street
  Carson City, NV  United States  89712
• Authors:
  • Fritchel, Patrick E
  • Dennett, Keith E
• Publication Date: 2006-2

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Edition: Technical Report
• Features: Figures; Maps; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 135p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bedrock; Drainage structures; Erosion; Erosion control; Evaluation; Field studies; Flumes; Gullies; Laboratory studies; Rain; Runoff; Sediments; Slope stability; Snowmelt; Weathered rock
• Uncontrolled Terms: Erosion control blankets; Erosion control mats
• Geographic Terms: Nevada
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Hydraulics and Hydrology; I26: Water Run-off - Freeze-thaw; I42: Soil Mechanics;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01020826
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: RDT 06-005
• Files: TRIS, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Mar 28 2006 3:25PM