Hidden Pond HOA in Schaumburg, Illinois contracted with ENCAP, Inc. for design-build services to stabilize the shorelines of their steeply eroded stormwater basin in a unique and ascetically pleasing way.

How do I get my dirty water clean?

This episode shows you the answer!

The first of a series of episodes on Polyacrylamides (PAM) will cover some of the principle features and facts about the practice. It will serve as a general overview of some of the basic uses for PAM and the history of PAM use. With new standards out for public comment in Illinois, now is the time to become familiar with the principles of PAM use for erosion and sediment control.

Welcome to the next episode of the ENCAP – Erosion Control Minute. This episode is a follow up to our last streambank stabilzation episode which featured stone toe protection. This episode covers vegetated soil lifts, which are often utilized in conjunction with stone toe protection. Geogrid reinforced soil lifts provide an encapsulated soil layer which is vegetated to give a soft armoring to upper portions of restored streambanks. Get the details on the installation and methods of construction of a vegetated soil lift on this episode of the ENCAP – Erosion Control Minute.

Ever wonder how stone toe streambank stabilization is constructed on a project, or how that base of stone above a vegetated bank stabilization is put in place? This episode of the ENCAP Erosion Control Minute is for you!

This episode features one method of stone toe streambank stabilization. In this project, a layer of stone toe is being constructed in preparation for stabilized soil lifts along a streambank. The project shows the initial stone toe placement prior to construction of the actual soil lifts which will be featured in a future episode of the Erosion Control Minute.

Be sure to catch this episode of the ENCAP Erosion Control Minute.

Is the detention basin in your neighborhood in bad shape? Do you have turf shorelines that are eroded and falling into the pond?

Be sure to watch this episode of the ENCAP – Erosion Control Minute. This episode features a retrofit of a turf grass shorline with native seeding and varied erosion control practices. The featured project takes a unique approach of combined shoreline restoration practices that will withstand the test of time. We will cover some of the reasons for shoreline erosion on turf grass stormwater basins as well as some of the solutions and benefits that are provided by native shoreline vegetation. Don’t miss this episode of the ENCAP Erosion Control Minute.

This episode of the ENCAP Erosion Control Minute will feature a temporary runoff control measure. Temporary diversions are very useful practices especially on sites that remain disturbed for long periods of time, sites with steep or long slopes, or in areas where highly sensitive environmental areas occur close to disturbed construction areas. Be sure to catch the details on this episode of the ENCAP Erosion Control Minute.

The next episode of the ENCAP Erosion Control Minute will feature a critical practice when working around streams and waterways. A well constructed and planned temporary stream crossing can be the difference between a project done on time and in compliance versus one that is inefficient and in violation of NPDES and US Army Corps Permits. This particular example practice needed a little maintenance after a flash flood in western cook county, but a well designed and installed crossing will still have it’s component parts in place following a major flood.

The next episode of the ENCAP Erosion Control Minute will feature a standard sediment control practice which is applicable on most any construction site. The use of temporary sediment traps to contain runoff and capture sediment is a tried and true sediment control practice. Temporary sediment traps are applicable for small drainage areas and designed to be easily constructed and maintained. This common practice includes a few keys to design and construction which will be described in this episode.

The next episode of the ENCAP Erosion Control Minute will feature a critical sediment control practice when performing streambank and shoreline work. Silt curtains or turbidity curtains are an often misused and misunderstood practice, but when used effectively can be your last line of defense between your work area and a sesitive water body.

Be sure to catch this episode of the ENCAP Erosion Control Minute.

The next episode of the ENCAP Erosion Control Minute will break down the final rule on the Effluent Limitiation Guidelines for the NPDES construction general permit by the USEPA. While the state of Illinois is still three years away from the expiration of the statewide NPDES permit, the USEPA Effluent Limitation Guidelines will serve to dramatically change the way we plan, design, and construct erosion and sediment control practices on construction sites. With such important regulatory steps being made, the precedents that are set in this rule will likely be the subject of many developments within the industry in the years to come.