Freshwater Biodiversity Toolbox

Sediment & Erosion Control – Silt Fencing

Silt fencing is used in order to prevent sediment runoff into bodies of water. It acts as a filter but can also stop sediment movement that leads to pooling with stormwater, allowing sediment to settle. The spread of sediment into waterways can be extremely harmful to both the ecosystem and the organisms residing in these habitats. Silt fences are mainly used as a temporary protection when there is construction taking place near a water system that increases the risk of sediment spread. Improperly managed fences can become ineffective in their control of sediment as they can become damaged. Proper installation, maintenance, and removal of silt fences is necessary so that the fences can be as effective as possible.

Rating:
The syntheses scored poorly across all elements of CEESAT demonstrating limitations in the rigour and the transparency in which the review was conducted (i.e., no a-priori protocol, critical appraisal, or search strategy provided). A Green score was only given in one element to Ayenew (2016) for the diverse sources used. Ayenew (2016) could not be scored according to most RASCAT elements but Cooke et al. (2015) scored Gold for each element except for the ability to demonstrate consideration of implications, practical advice, or recommendations for decision-makers. Photo credit: MPCA Photos

Ayenew, A.W. (2016)

Review paper on "Irrigation Water Pollution and Its Minimization Measures"

Title: Review paper on "Irrigation Water Pollution and Its Minimization Measures"

Authors: Ayenew, A.W.

Journal: Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare

Year: 2016

DOI: NA

Species or groups: NA

Other sources of evidence: https://www.conservationevidence.com/actions/771

Abstract: Water is a scarce resource, thus, any reuse of water is desirable, as long as the costs associated with the reuse is less than the benefits of using it. The environmental and socioeconomic aspects of irrigation water pollution were becoming a serious problem worldwide. The quality of surface and groundwater in shallow open wells has deteriorated and the application of polluted groundwater for irrigation has resulted in increased salt content of soils. Outbreaks of waterborne diseases are also a growing concern. The economic value of changes in water quality is an important component of economic assessment of policies to reduce pollution from agricultural production. Farmers can take many steps to reduce loadings of agricultural pollutants to water resources. But improvements in water quality from farmer’s efforts to reduce pollutant loadings often take years to detect and document. Aquifers may take decades to show improvements in quality after management is improved. This has implications for the design of monitoring necessary to assess the effectiveness of water quality policies and programs. This study found that both structural and management practices are available for managing water and chemical inputs more efficiently or controlling runoff to minimize irrigation water pollutions. Those practices include efficient irrigation water management, integrated pest management, comprehensive nutrient management planning, animal waste management, conservation Agriculture and Industrial waste, sewage and storm water pretreatment.

Assessment of reliability and robustness (CEESAT)

Assessment of relevance to Canada (RASCAT)

Cooke, S.J., Chapman, J.M., & Vermaire, J.C (2015)

On the apparent failure of silt fences to protect freshwater ecosystems from sedimentation: A call for improvements in science, technology, training and compliance monitoring

Title: On the apparent failure of silt fences to protect freshwater ecosystems from sedimentation: A call for improvements in science, technology, training and compliance monitoring

Authors: Cooke, S.J., Chapman, J.M., & Vermaire, J.C

Journal: Journal of Environmental Management

Year: 2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2015.08.033

Species or groups: NA

Other sources of evidence: https://www.conservationevidence.com/actions/771

Abstract: Excessive sedimentation derived from anthropogenic activities is a main factor in habitat and biodiversity loss in freshwater ecosystems. To prevent offsite movement of soil particles, many environmental regulatory agencies mandate the use of perimeter silt fences. However, research regarding the efficiency of these devices in applied settings is lacking, and fences are often ineffective due to poor installation and maintenance. Here, we provide an overview of the current state of research regarding silt fences, address the current culture surrounding silt fence installation and maintenance, and provide several recommendations for improving the knowledge base related to silt fence effectiveness. It is clear that there is a need for integrated long-term (i.e., extending from prior to fence installation to well after fence removal) multi-disciplinary research with appropriate controls that evaluates the effectiveness of silt control fences. Through laboratory experiments, in silico modelling and field studies there are many factors that can be experimentally manipulated such as soil types (and sediment feed rate), precipitation regimes (and flow rate), season, slope, level of site disturbance, fence installation method, type of fence material, depth of toe, type and spacing of support structures, time since installation, level of inspection and maintenance, among others, that all require systematic evaluation. Doing so will inform the practice, as well as identify specific technical research needs, related to silt fence design and use. Moreover, what constitutes “proper” installation and maintenance is unclear, especially given regional- and site-level variation in precipitation, slope, and soil characteristics. Educating and empowering construction crews to be proactive in maintenance of silt fencing is needed given an apparent lack of compliance monitoring by regulatory agencies and the realities that the damage is almost instantaneous when silt fences fail. Our goal is not to dismiss silt fences as a potentially useful tool. Instead, we question the way they are currently being used and call for better science to determine what factors (in terms of fence design, installation and site-characteristics) influence effectiveness as well as better training for those that install, maintain and inspect such devices. We also encourage efforts to “look beyond the fence” to consider how silt fences can be combined with other sediment control strategies as part of an integrated sediment control program.

Freshwater Biodiversity Toolbox

Sediment & Erosion Control – Silt Fencing

Ayenew, A.W. (2016)

Assessment of reliability and robustness (CEESAT)

Assessment of relevance to Canada (RASCAT)

Cooke, S.J., Chapman, J.M., & Vermaire, J.C (2015)

Assessment of reliability and robustness (CEESAT)

Assessment of relevance to Canada (RASCAT)

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Article

Freshwater Biodiversity Toolbox

Sediment & Erosion Control – Silt Fencing

Ayenew, A.W. (2016)

Assessment of reliability and robustness (CEESAT)

Assessment of relevance to Canada (RASCAT)

Cooke, S.J., Chapman, J.M., & Vermaire, J.C (2015)

Assessment of reliability and robustness (CEESAT)

Assessment of relevance to Canada (RASCAT)

Other Interventions

Find other Interventions

Fencing of Farm Animals

Agricultural Run-off Control

Bycatch Reduction – Fish

Bycatch Reduction – Turtles

Find other Interventions