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EROSION
CONTROL
Spring Creek Oaks Detention Basin:
An Erosion Control Performance Report
The purpose of this case study was to evaluate the performance of
PennzSuppress® D as a product to reduce
surface soil erosion during grass seed germination. Observations were made to
evaluate vegetative growth, erosion, and area rainfall.
The site chosen for study was a storm water detention basin located adjacent
to Spring Creek which is under the authority of the Harris County Flood
Control district. The site is located next to Spring Gully, south of Louetta
Road and east of TC Jester Road in the Klein, Texas area, north of Houston.
Excalibur Construction, Inc. was the contractor chosen for excavating,
grading, seeding and treating the soil lining the retention basin. Champions
Hydro Lawn, Inc. was the firm subcontracted to seed and treat the detention
basin.
The area which was seeded and treated consists of five acres of 3-to-1
graded slopes and another two acres of top road /back slope swales surrounding
the detention basin. Work began on September 6, 1996. The slopes were multi-packed
with a 1:1 Bermuda/Winter Rye seed mixture at a depth of 1/4 inch and then
treated with a 15:1 dilution of PennzSuppress®
D. The PennzSuppress® D was applied in one
pass at a rate of 0.5 gallons per square yard. The top was treated with the
same 15:1 dilution applied in one pass at 1/4 gallon per square yard. No
hydro-mulching (cellulose) or straw was applied. A total of 380 gallons of
concentrate was applied. It is important to note that the site received
rainfall which totaled approximately one inch on the same day of this initial
application.
At a later date, the site was vandalized by privately owned vehicles which
were driven on some of the slopes. These areas were retreated with 15:1
diluted PennzSuppress® D. Thus, a final
total of 397 gallons of PennzSuppress® D
concentrate was used to complete the job.
Observations of this site include pictures, written observations, and area
rainfall data. Actual rainfall data at the site was not obtained. Instead, at
the recommendation of a National Weather Service representative, area rainfall
data was collected from the Southern Regional Climate Center. This rainfall
data, along with rainfall data collected at Pennzoil Products Company's
Technology Center located in The Woodlands, Texas, was collected.
Observations by the seeding contractor, Champions Hydro Lawn, Inc., indicates
that PennzSuppress® D performed well and
will be recommended for use in other similar type projects. According to Mr.
Lou Triche, President of Champions Hydro-Lawn, Inc., in a letter to Excaliber
Construction, Inc., "With proper attention paid to specifications of
Harris County Flood Control Department, and the (use of) PennzSuppress®
D soil sealant to hold the turf establishment process in place, the mixture of
bermuda and rye grasses are very rich and very full. The project has
experienced hard rains, a pest infestation, and hard, freezing temperatures in
January. Enduring those natural hazards, the turf has provided a very strong
resistance to erosion. The turf has qualified for approval by Harris County
Flood Control Department." Based on Pennzoil Products Company
observations we agree with conclusions of Champions Hydro-Lawn. The grass was
held onto the slopes after many days of rain. We did not observe any patches
of grass growing at the flat bottom of the retention basin. Grass growing at
the very bottom could indicate that seed could have been lifted and carried to
the bottom of the basin.
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