Check dams are a crucial best management practice (BMP) for sediment control, playing an essential role in protecting landscapes and waterways. Constructed from natural fill materials such as compost, rice hulls, excelsior fiber, or gravel and encased with netting, filter sock and wattle barriers are designed to slow water flow in drainage channels and ditches. By reducing flow velocity, these check dams effectively mitigate bed erosion while filtering out sediment, pollutants, and debris. Their simplicity in installation, low maintenance requirements, and versatility across various environments make check dams indispensable for both short-term and long-term erosion control.
How Check Dam BMPs Work
Check dam BMPs are primarily used to slow concentrated stormwater flow in areas like drainage ditches, swales, and channels. By interrupting the flow of water, they reduce the erosive force of runoff, which would otherwise wash away soil and carry sediment and pollutants downstream. Slowing the flow velocity allows sediment to settle behind the dam, which helps prevent downstream contamination while stabilizing the surrounding soil. In addition to trapping sediment, some check dam systems can also be configured to filter pollutants and debris from the water, further protecting local ecosystems and improving water quality.
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Advantages of Filter Sock and Wattle Check Dam BMPs
Filter sock and wattle check dam BMPs provide several benefits compared to other erosion control methods, offering both practical and economic advantages. Below are some key reasons they could be a preferred choice for your next project:
- Lower Lifetime Cost: Filter socks, straw wattles, and excelsior logs: are more cost-effective than traditional check dam erosion control methods like rock check dams or silt fences. They require fewer materials and are quicker to install, leading to reduced labor costs and minimal maintenance over time. This efficiency makes them an attractive option for both small-scale and large-scale projects looking to optimize their budgets without sacrificing effectiveness.
- No Trenching Required: One of the most convenient advantages of filter sock check dam BMPs is that they don’t require trenching for installation (except for straw wattles and excelsior logs). This eliminates the need for heavy excavation equipment and further reduces installation time. The simplicity of setting up these barriers makes them ideal for projects with tight timelines or limited resources, offering immediate sediment control without intensive site preparation.
- Versatility: Check dam BMPs are highly versatile and can be customized to fit a wide range of project needs, site conditions, and budgets. With a variety of options—such as SiltSoxx compost filter socks, SiltSoxx RH rice hull filter socks, straw wattles, excelsior logs, or rock-filled systems like RockSoxx—these BMPs can be tailored to specific challenges, such as managing high flow velocities or filtering out certain pollutants. This adaptability ensures that projects can achieve optimal performance in diverse environments, from construction sites to agricultural landscapes.
- Easy Removal and Disposal: Once a project is completed, check dam BMPs are designed for easy removal, allowing for quick site cleanup or reuse in future applications. Many of these materials are lightweight and manageable, so they can be easily transported and disposed of without extensive labor. In environmentally friendly configurations like the Natural Original or Natural+ SiltSoxx or Natural+ SiltSoxx RH, the BMPs can even be left in place to biodegrade naturally, reducing environmental impact while enhancing soil health.
Environmental Benefits of Check Dams
In addition to effectively controlling sediment runoff, check dams provide a range of environmental benefits, making them a sustainable solution for erosion and water quality management. Below are some key ecological advantages:
- Pollutant Removal: One of the standout features of filter sock check dam BMPs, particularly the EnviroSoxx® filter socks, is their ability to be configured to remove pollutants from stormwater runoff. These specialized filter socks can be infused with materials to capture harmful contaminants such as heavy metals, phosphorus, hydrocarbons, and oils. By filtering out these pollutants, check dam systems help prevent toxins from entering nearby rivers, lakes, and groundwater supplies, significantly improving water quality and protecting aquatic life.
- Sustainable Design: Many filter sock check dam BMP solutions are made with sustainability in mind. Options like SiltSoxx compost filter socks, SiltSoxx RH rice hull filter socks, straw wattles, and excelsior logs can be created from biodegradable netting materials, thus reducing their environmental footprint. As these products naturally decompose over time, they return valuable organic matter to the soil, promoting healthier ecosystems. This biodegradable design eliminates the need for labor-intensive removal and disposal, making them an eco-friendly choice for long-term land management and erosion control.
- Reduced Erosion and Habitat Protection: By slowing the velocity of stormwater and trapping sediment, check dam BMPs play a critical role in reducing erosion and protecting downstream habitats. Sediment from unchecked runoff can smother aquatic environments, degrade water quality, and disrupt ecosystems. Filter sock and wattle check dams prevent this by capturing sediment before it reaches sensitive areas, preserving the integrity of waterways and maintaining biodiversity. In turn, these BMPs help protect fish spawning grounds, wetlands, and other habitats that are essential to the health of ecosystems.

Applications of Check Dam BMPs
Check dam BMPs are highly adaptable and can be implemented across a wide range of industries and project types. Their versatility allows them to provide effective sediment control in diverse environments, such as:
- Construction Sites: On construction sites, where land disturbance is common, check dam BMPs are critical for preventing sediment runoff. These sites often involve large-scale excavation and grading, which can lead to significant erosion if not properly managed. By slowing stormwater flow and trapping sediment, check dams help protect nearby waterways from contamination and sedimentation. This ensures compliance with strict environmental regulations and reduces the risk of fines or project delays due to runoff-related issues.
- Roadway Ditches and Swales: Roadside ditches and swales are particularly vulnerable to erosion due to the concentrated flow of stormwater along roadways. This erosion can lead to infrastructure damage and sediment buildup in drainage systems. Installing check dam BMPs in these areas helps to slow down water movement, trap sediment, and protect the integrity of these drainage systems. By controlling sediment, check dams also help maintain the structural stability of roads and highways, preventing costly repairs and ensuring proper water management.
- Agricultural Lands: Farmers rely on check dam BMPs to safeguard their fields from erosion, especially on sloped or uneven terrain. Unchecked runoff on agricultural lands can wash away fertile soil, degrade crop productivity, and contribute to water pollution through the transport of pesticides and fertilizers. By reducing runoff velocity, check dams help retain valuable topsoil and prevent agricultural runoff from contaminating local water bodies. This not only supports more sustainable farming practices but also helps protect regional water quality.
- Stormwater Management Systems: In urban areas, where impermeable surfaces like roads, sidewalks, and parking lots dominate, stormwater runoff can quickly lead to sedimentation and water contamination. Filter sock check dam BMPs are frequently integrated into stormwater management systems to control runoff in these environments. By slowing the flow of stormwater and trapping pollutants and sediment, check dams play a vital role in reducing the impact of urban runoff. This helps cities and municipalities manage stormwater more effectively, reducing the risk of flooding, erosion, and water pollution in densely populated areas.

Conclusion
The combination of cost efficiency, easy installation, adaptability, and eco-friendly design makes filter sock and wattle check dam BMPs an outstanding solution for sediment control and stormwater management. These benefits not only offer practical solutions but also help ensure projects meet environmental standards sustainably and effectively. Whether for short-term construction or long-term land management, check dam BMPs provide a smarter, more affordable alternative to complex, high-cost sediment control methods. By integrating check dams into land and water management strategies, industries can safeguard infrastructure, protect natural resources, and preserve local ecosystems.
Looking for a reliable solution? MKB Company offers a wide selection of check dam BMPs, customized to fit your project’s specific needs—from simple sediment control to advanced pollutant filtration.
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