Are you concerned about protecting your shoreline in the event of a major storm? Many so-called wetland management experts may try to sell you on building a wall. But a slew of recent studies, based on actual events, have given the lie to this idea. In the long run, wetland restoration is a far superior idea.

Instead of Building Walls, it's Time to Restore Wetlands

One of the best arguments against wall building came into being in August 2011. This was the time Hurricane Irene touched down in North Carolina. The storm itself dumped bucket loads of rain on to the Outer Banks. But this was far from the worst damage that the storm brought in its wake.

Irene's fury resulted in surging waves three meters high. These waves cracked through the storm walls that were supposed to protect the mainland. In the process, a number of nearby roads, 1,100 homes, and plenty of other landmarks were wiped off the map. The wall that had been built to protect the coast turned out to be less than useless.

Wetland Management is the Key to Safe Shorelines

A number of scientists researching the results of the storm came upon a very interesting conclusion. In the end, it turns out that shore walls are simply not a viable long term solution to prevent damage from major hurricanes and floods. But they did manage to discover a solution that is may be far more workable in the long term.

Shoreline walls are, on average, about six and a half feet tall. Made of supposedly long lasting concrete, they form the standard line of defense against seaborne storms and other disasters. However, breaches in the bulwarks has been a common finding in many of these walls after a major storm has touched down.

But, after Irene, it was discovered that the shorelines of the marsh areas were intact. In fact, it was ascertained that these marsh areas, extending from 30 to 130 feet back from the shore, had lost none of their sediment or elevation.

It is true that the fallout from Irene did result in a loss of vegetation density of nearly a third. However, within a year, this density was restored and, in some places, healthier and lusher than ever before.

If You Want to Protect Your Shoreline, Restore Your Wetlands

The aftermath of the Irene incident serves to confirm what experts have been saying all along. Walls are not the key to protecting coastal shorelines or their neighboring inland areas. If you want to keep your community safe, your best bet will be to begin practicing the proper amount of wetland management techniques.

These are techniques that could potentially save an area from having to experience the worst that a huge hurricane or flooding incident can bring. They are the best way to ensure a lush and healthy shoreline both before and after such an event.

The Time to Restore Your Wetland Shore is Now

If you are serious about getting state of the art wetland management services, the time to do so is now. You don't want to wait until the next major storm. By this time, it may be too late to do anything to stave off a major scale disaster. The time to get ready to meet the challenge of a hurricane or flood is now.

You can start by giving Crosscreek Environmental a call. You can reach us via phone at 941-479-7811. You can also email us at admin@crosscreekenv.com. If you have any questions about pricing for our services, you can direct them to our special Pricing Request Form.

​As the manager of a college campus ground, your list of responsibilities is huge. Proper lake and pond management may well be among them. If this is the case, you can make your job a lot easier. Our professional water feature repair and maintenance services will be of valuable assistance to your campus management duties.

Why Do You Need Proper Pond Lake Maintenance?

There are plenty of reasons why lake and pond management is a must for your college campus. The most obvious one is quite literally for the sake of appearance. You want every part of your campus to to attract new students as well as please your alumni. There's nothing like a continually neglected eyesore to prevent this.

Instead of letting the problem get worse and worse, it's time to take the bull by the horns. Now is the time for you to get expert level lake and pond management to solve the problem, once and for all. Crosscreek Environmental is here to provide the services you need to get your water feature back to a peak state of health.

Get Expert Environmental Services for Your Water Areas

We fully understand that not every campus manager is also a born water management expert. This is why Crosscreek Environmental has made our business to specialize in these areas on your behalf. We can help you take care of your lakes and ponds in order to keep them functioning smoothly, cost effectively, and beautifully.

Water features play an important part on your campus. They provide excellent local landmarks and focal points. They beautify the area that they are placed in. Such areas serve as excellent places for students, faculty, and visitors to relax in. And they are great places to observe local fish and wildlife in their natural element.

Your campus water features may also serve other, more practical purposes. For example, your water area may double as a storm water management facility. Its task will be to help filter out dangerous pollutants from runoff. A storm water drain can also serve to reduce excess flooding after a heavy storm.

It's Time to Evolve a Water Feature Management Strategy

If you are serious about keeping your water areas in top shape, the time to act is now. We can help you evolve a water feature management strategy that will help you reach this important goal. The repair and maintenance services that we offer will give you a head start on restoring your pond and lake areas to peak condition.

We can offer you a wide range of services that are designed to keep your water area looking healthy and beautiful. These will include the following:

• Nano-bubble aeration
• Erosion control
• Biochar and other natural nutrients
• Ecologically friendly herbicides

The Time to Get Proper Water Management Services is Now

Don't let another day go by without fixing your lake and pond management issues. Our friendly service team can quickly diagnose and fix the problem. Best of all, we can do it for a price that your campus can easily afford. When it comes to state of the art management services, we are the experts that campus managers rely on.

You can contact Crosscreek Environmental at any time. Call us directly at 941-479-7811 or contact us by email at admin@crosscreekenv.com. If you have any question about pricing for our services, please check out our official Pricing Request Form. Get in touch with us today to learn more about what we can do on behalf of your campus.

Is your local lake or pond overflowing with weeds? If you see a sticky bright green surface forming on your water surface, this could be trouble. It may be an algal bloom explosion. If you see this or any other kind of problem in your local lake, you need to get it checked out right away.

The Time to Air Out Your Pond is NowThe reason why you need top level lake and pond aeration system installation services is obvious. Just as you can't breathe on dry land without a good mix of oxygen, neither can the plants or fish in your local lake and pond. Every living thing on this planet needs a mix of fresh oxygen to survive.

But when you don't take good care of your water area, the oxygen supply in the water can easily be threatened. An algal bloom can choke off the oxygen to every other plant and animal in the lake. This can lead to a massive die off of everything but algae. The consequences of this will be a dead pond with an ugly bright green surface.

The way to avoid this fate is to make sure that your water area is properly aired out. This is where our special lake and pond aeration system installation service can help. Crosscreek Environmental is here to assist you with the latest water feature repair and maintenance services. If lack of air is a problem, we can easily correct it.

Aeration is the Key to Good Water HealthA professional lake and pond aeration system installation will be the best thing you can do to keep your lake or pond in the best of health. This is the way to keep oxygen flowing smoothly through the water in order to keep fish and plants thriving. It's also the best way to keep algae from growing too fast and thick.

But there are a wide range of other benefits that water aeration can provide. One of them is the prevention of thermal stratification. This is a condition that can occur when the water in your lake or pond begins to separate in a series of a layers or zones that tend to feature drastically different temperatures.

In such a situation, the warmest water will be found at the surface. Meanwhile, the water in the deepest part of the lake or pond basin will be cold. The problem here is that the upper layer is getting all of the sunlight as well as all of the oxygen. But the deeper layer is getting no oxygen and slowly becoming a mess of lifeless sludge.

The best way to prevent this unnatural state of affairs from growing into a huge problem is to restore the balance of aeration. You can do this by calling an expert water management service such as Crosscreek Environmental. We can quickly show you how to keep your water areas properly aerated to support life and attract visitors.

REQUEST A QUOTE ONLINE OR CALL NOW!When it comes to state of the art lake and pond aeration system installation, there is only one local authority to call. Crosscreek Environmental is here to handle all of your water feature management needs. No job is too big or too small for us to take care of. Our friendly service team will gladly fix your issue.

You can contact Crosscreek Environmental via phone at 941-479-7811. You can also email us at admin@crosscreekenv.com. If you need more info concerning our pricing arrangements, you can check out our handy pricing request form. Get in touch with us today to learn more about what we can do to help you.

Wetland and aquatic plants are crucial to Florida's ecology. Aquatic plants can nourish the animals that live in or near the lake and add visual appeal to a lake setting. However, these plants can also cause water use and ecological issues. Plants are a food source for fish and other forms of wildlife. They also enhance the clarity of water and stabilize lake sediments and shorelines.

If you're interested in aquatic planting in Florida, you should learn about quick-growing plant species and whether these plants are healthy for Florida's lake-centric environment.

Algae and Vascular Plants

Aquatic plants are divided into two main groups: algae and vascular plants. Algae is composed of chains of attached cells or single cells, and vascular plants have distinct, flowers, stems, roots and leaves, with the exception of ferns.

Algae are single cells in the water that float freely and are known as phytoplankton. Mat-forming algae are known as filamentous algae. Phytoplankton are often too small to be seen by the naked eye. However, the presence of phytoplankton can make the water appear brown or green. These plants are also a source of food for small organisms, and these smaller organisms are what waterfowl and fish eat. Phytoplankton is also essential for oxygen production in a water environment which is needed for fish to breathe.

Vascular plants are also categorized by their growth patterns and where they grow at various depths in the lake. Emergent plants grow along the shoreline, in shallow water. These plants are rooted at the base and grow above the water. Submersed plants grow in deeper parts of the water and are often rooted to the bottom of the lake, so they remain under the surface. Floating-leaved plants are bottom-rooted and have leaves attached under the water. The leaves are seen from the water's surface, and some leaves are underwater. Floating plants float on the water's surface and can grow anywhere in the lake.

Arrowheads

These plants are sturdy plants that grow along the shore. Arrowheads have huge leaves that grow upright. The stalks are strong at the top and have a spongy consistency at the base. Arrowhead stalks flower all summer long and yield flowers in whorls near the top of the plant. There are three white petals for each flower which are thin and delicate, similar to confetti. One popular arrowhead type in Florida is the bulltongue arrowhead, which got its name for its elliptic, slim shape and leaves that point to the sky. Bulltongue arrowheads continue to thrive in both dry and wet climates, which is why they develop so well in Florida.

Broadleaf arrowheads are a little different from the Bulltongue variety and have triangle-shaped lobes at the bottom of the leaves, which gives the leaves an arrow-like shape.

Spikerush

Spikerush, which is also called needlegrass, isn't a grass or rush. It's actually a sedge that grows similar to straw, and has an olive color. The plant leans from side to side in the marsh and has circular stems that grow as tall as 30 inches. The stem tips develop very small braided rows of blooms that turn into tan seed heads as they mature. Spikerush plants have stems that grow underground and spread throughout the bottom of the lake to produce several round tubers. The plants are the ideal habitat for ducks since they provide a camouflaged cover and food from the seeds and tubers. The Florida mottled duck, a mallard that doesn't migrate, is known to eat the Spikerush seed.

For more information on aquatic planting in Florida, call 914-479-7811 or email admin@crosscreekenv.com. You can also fill out a pricing request form for additional details.

When you have invasive species present on your property, it can be challenging to stop their growth, especially due to increased recreation and travel in the warmer seasons of the year. Because of the lack of natural competition and predators present, it can cause the species to quickly become invasive and take over the land. Fortunately, there are a few ways to stop the spread of the species and take more control of the problem to prevent issues from developing while working with qualified professionals on the land.

1. Learn How to Identify the Species

The first step you need to take to stop the spread of invasive species is learning how to identify them correctly to ensure you can take the necessary action. Visit the federal noxious weed database to have access to local invasive plant designations and discover techniques for proper identification.

If you aren't confident with your abilities or knowledge and don't have a lot of experience, consider contacting a professional to ensure they can provide you with the correct information. The type of species that is present differs based on where you live, making it necessary to consult the services of a professional in the local area. It can be easier to work with someone who is more familiar with the types of native plants that are present instead of attempting to recognize the species by browsing photos online.

2. Avoid Purchasing Exotic Plants Online

One of the most common mistakes that many people make is shopping around and buying exotic plants over the internet. Although they're known to be beautiful and can create a lush setting in your garden, they can also lead to extensive damage by destroying the natural ecosystems as they grow over time.

Whether you plan to purchase exotic plants or seeds on the internet or in-person at a local store, it's crucial to verify their origins in advance to avoid making a costly mistake. Stick to shopping at local nurseries that have been in business for several years and are more reputable than smaller unknown shops.

By visiting a trustworthy establishment near your home, you can have access to a well-versed expert at the nursery who can provide you with their insight and will ask you questions on what you need. They'll be qualified to provide you with a few of their recommendations to ensure you make an informed purchase and aren't at risk of causing any damage to the ecosystem that you care for throughout the year.

3. Don't Delay

Waiting too long to stop the spread of invasive species can cause the problem to become more extensive with each passing day. Act immediately once you spot any signs of an invasive species and contact a local professional when you need to obtain services like aquatic weed control.

Moving forward, you also need to have a professional regularly inspect your site every few months to ensure potential signs of invasive species is caught early on before the problem intensifies. You can save more with minor inspections and intercept the growth in the beginning stages instead of spending more to try and control the problem once it's harder to tackle.

When you hire a professional, you can obtain effective services and treatments that include using specific herbicides, hydro-raking, and mechanical harvesting.

4. Stick to Native Species

The native species you currently have can become damaged if you introduce exotic species as they both struggle to compete with one another. Stick to native species to protect and preserve the ecosystem. You'll also need to replant any of the affected ecosystems to slow the spread of any plants that you don't want to be present to avoid having to use treatments like aquatic weed control services.

5. Participate in Volunteer Work

If you want to become more educated about the methods to use to stop invasive species, consider volunteering at removal events in the local area with annual management events that are scheduled. Although invasive plant species are known to grow at a rapid speed, you can make a dent in the problem at a steady pace to gradually resolve the issue and learn how to have more control of it.

Some of the most common techniques used while volunteering include burning, cutting, and hand-pulling the invasive species. You also need to educate yourself on how they spread to prevent them from causing further destruction to the natural environments.

If you need additional help stopping the spread of invasive species, feel free to contact our experts at 941-479-7811, by emailing admin@crosscreekenv.com, or by filling out the Pricing Request Form.

If you have a pond or lake on your property, it is a body of water that looks spectacular and brings you much joy. Whether swimming with friends, fishing by yourself, or boating with your family, these and other activities are just some of the many reasons why you love your land's pond or lake. But as it is with most ponds and lakes, property owners need to take a variety of steps to ensure these bodies of water stay in excellent condition. While you may try to handle the task of lake and pond management on your own, chances are you simply don't possess the in-depth knowledge needed to solve complex issues that may arise. When you need professional lake and pond management, it's time to turn to our experts here at Crosscreek Environmental.

Water Quality Testing and Monitoring

When you're out on the water or sitting on the bank fishing, you may start to notice a bad odor coming from your pond or lake water. Along with this, you may start to notice various types of algae growth. If you notice these or other similar problems, time is of the essence. Should you delay, the problems are only going to get worse. To find out what the problem is and how it can be corrected, experts from Crosscreek Environmental Inc. can perform state-of-the-art water quality monitoring and testing. By using the latest scientific tests, our experts can accurately measure your water's phosphorus, nitrogen, pH reading, and much more. Once done, we can recommend various treatment options that will get your pond or lake healthy.

Aquatic Weed Prevention and Control

If there is one thing you don't want to see happening in your pond or lake, it is algae growth and various types of aquatic weeds starting to take hold. When this happens, the result is not only a lake or pond that no longer looks beautiful, but also one where the natural ecosystem becomes out of balance, killing off fish and other members of the ecosystem. To combat this, Crosscreek Environmental Inc. can offer various types of methods to control this problem, such as mechanical harvesting, aerial treatments, environmentally-safe herbicides, and other options.

Erosion Control

Whether you have a small pond on your property or a large lake, erosion control is vital to keeping your body of water looking great as well as healthy. Occurring due to such things as bad weather, poorly-designed landscaping, or simply an ecosystem that may finally be showing its age, these and other factors can lead to shoreline erosion. If the problem is not addressed promptly, you may start finding gullies, trenches, or dangerous banks forming around your lake or pond, creating possible hazards as well as eyesores. To solve this problem, we at Crosscreek Environmental Inc. often choose to use photodegradable knitted mesh systems strategically placed around the water's shoreline. Once installed, these systems can create sediment containment barriers, holding the soil in place and allowing grass and native vegetation to begin growing, which will create a natural buffer against shoreline erosion. Check out some of our erosion control services here.

Dredging

In all lakes and ponds, sediment builds up beneath the water year after year. Eventually, it gets to the point where the pond or lake may no longer be able to retain water. When this starts to happen, it may be time to inquire about dredging services with us here at Crosscreek Environmental Inc. to solve your problem. By doing so, this procedure can often greatly increase the lifespan of your pond or lake. As for the specific benefits of dredging, they include increasing the water's volume and depth by as much as 15 feet, eradicating debris and deep-rooted plants, increasing flow in channels, and restoring stormwater detention capacity. Using our mechanical or hydraulic dredges, we can make this task much easier and far more efficient.

Floating Fountains

Whether you are wanting a floating fountain installed on your lake or pond or already have one installed that needs maintenance, we at Crosscreek Environmental Inc. can help. One of the most beautiful sites on any lake or pond, floating fountains bring a look of elegance and flair to any property. However, they also serve important functions to any body of water where they are located. For example, they allow for continual water circulation and aeration, helping to keep the water healthy. Also, they limit damage that can occur from excessive nutrient buildup within the water, keeping the ecosystem of your lake or pond in balance.

Since there are so many tasks associated with keeping your lake or pond looking great and staying as healthy as possible, rely on expert lake and pond management from us here at Crosscreek Environmental. To learn more about us, call us at 941-479-7811, email us at admin@crosscreekenv.com, or fill out a pricing request form online.

When you live on a lake or a river and own waterfront property, you likely enjoy the views and having close proximity to the water. Although the views may be picturesque, the shoreline can be less than perfect if it's started to erode and you have to take on more responsibility with maintaining the outdoor setting. If you notice your shoreline is deteriorating and slowly receding closer to your home, there are a few steps you can take to fix it and stop it in it's tracks.

You may notice your shoreline has receded about 10 feet, which may leave you wondering if you can rebuild it. Many people are surprised to learn it's illegal to rebuild shorelines, and you'll have to obtain a permit to rebuild lost shoreline. Without the permit, you won't be allowed to add any additional soil to the shoreline because the government doesn't want the land to be rebuilt.

What causes shorelines to deteriorate?
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There are many causes of shoreline deterioration, which can often be difficult to prevent. Natural erosion occurs due to waves and currents, storms, and landslides. Sediment reduction is also due to climate changes, source depletion, and stream avulsion.

Those with lawns next to their shoreline may encounter problems because the lawn is shallow and is often over-fertilized. Over time, this can lead to a loss of natural habitat, algae blooms, lake sedimentation, and loss of leisure time. Creating a buffer zone is crucial for filtering out pollutants, absorbing wave action, and creating a more natural and lush setting where plenty of flowers and plants can thrive.

There are also many human activities that can cause shorelines to deteriorate as you spend more time outside or if your neighbors are always in the water. Boat wakes can cause altered water circulation, which leads to the soil pulling into the water. Excavation from mineral extraction and dredging are also causes. Coastal construction also leads to less of a shoreline.

What are the benefits of a healthy shoreline? 
​
Although shorelines are necessary for having more room to sit when you fish or lay out in the sun, they also offer additional benefits each season. Shorelines are necessary to maintain because they absorb waves and prevent erosion, improve water quality, establish a natural environment, and provide wildlife habitat.

It's important to immediately stop the deterioration from occurring to prevent suffering from more loss. You can obtain a property riprapped shoreline. Although it can come with a high cost, obtaining a loan is an option to prevent further damage if you wait too long.

The amount of land that is available significantly influences the value of your property, making it necessary to protect it. The investment you spend on a restored shorline can allow you to maintain your property value and make it more in demand if you plan to sell it in the future.

What does the shoreline restoration process look like?
 
Your options may be limited when it comes to repairing your shoreline, but you can still take action before it's too late. Riprap shorlines are an ideal solution because they are known as rock armor and use a variety of materials to prevent the shoreline from deteriorating.

Using natural plant buffers prevent the shorelines from washing away over time because they act as a barrier that can protect the soil from slipping away into the water. It's important to hire a team of professionals who can examine the grounds to take a look at the soil and assess the location. They'll also take the amount of sunlight and drainage into consideration.

The pitch of the slopeline is an additional factor that can remedy the issue. The slopeline should be 3:1 because it will work better at defining waves that pound against the shore and will handle the impact. A professional will need to compact the soil correctly, or it will start to deform once riprap stones are piled on top. Look for someone that will compact the soil before installing the riprap and fabric because the heavy stones won't be effective enough to prevent further deterioration. Using more fabric will prove to work better as a long-term solution.

Although it can be easy to assume that a deteriorating shoreline isn't as important as the lake you get to enjoy, the damage can be extensive over time and will continue to increase. It's important to avoid losing the land that you own to ensure you have enough place to stretch out and spend time outside in the coming years. Shoreline restoration can prevent you from feeling limited with where you can lounge and explore in your own backyard each season.

Need help bringing your shoreline back to life? 

If your shoreline is deteriorating on your property, you can inquire about our professionals services by calling 941-479-7811, emailing admin@crosscreekenv.com, or filling out the Pricing Request Form.

Are you searching for top level lake and pond management services for your community? We are here to provide them at a price you can easily afford. Crosscreek Environmental has a long history of servicing communities that require expert maintenance for their water features. Contact us today to learn more.

Lake and Pond Management is Essential for Your CommunityNothing is worse than going down to your local lake or pond for a swim or relaxing barbecue and then finding it filled with algae or spilling over on to the shore. You don't want to be anywhere near a water feature that is not being kept in good repair. And you can bet that the person who owns the area is bound to be losing money.

If you are the owner or manager of a local community, you already know how important proper lake and pond management can be. You may be dealing with issues such as an algae explosion in your local lake or excess water retention in your local drainage ditch. Whatever the issue may be, we are here to help.


The Time to Get Your Issue Addressed is NowThere are a number of water-related issues that can lead to disaster if not taken care of by an expert in time. These can include the following:

Storm Water RetentionHydrilla and other forms of invasive vegetation can easily choke up a waterway if not controlled. This can limit the total capacity and flow of the water in your storm water pond. Such issues are even more pressing now that hurricanes and other large storms have become an almost yearly threat.

Fish and Wildlife DisplacementA pond or lake that is choked up with algae or overgrown on to the shore is a huge problem. This is true not only for humans but even more so for the fish and wildlife that depend on it. You don't want to be the party that is ultimately responsible for the displacement or subsequent death of thousands of animals.

Overgrowth of Invasive AlgaeOne of the worst fates that can befall a pond or lake due to neglect is invasive algal bloom. This is a nightmare that results in a pond becoming topped over by a sickly bright screen of algae. This invasive bloom kills everything in the lake and can easily become a health hazard to shore-dwelling animals as well as humans.


The Consequences of Lake Mismanagement Can Be SeriousIt should go without saying that the consequences of letting your lake or pond fall into neglect can be very serious. If you own a golf course or water-related resort, your very livelihood will depend on keeping such areas in the best possible shape.

If you are the owner or manager of a housing community, you definitely don't want to let your local water area fall into disrepair. The damage this can do the appeal -- and the real estate value -- of your community may be immense.

You also do not want to held accountable for the damage that letting your lake or pond deteriorate can do to your local community. There may be laws governing such matters that you don't want to fall afoul of.


Our Friendly Service Team Will Easily Fix Your IssueWhatever your issue may be, our friendly and knowledgeable service team is equipped to fix it. We will send a team to your water area to diagnose the problem and come up with a workable solution. Since no two areas of water are ever alike, the service we provide will be fully personalized to your needs.

Our goal will be to get your water area back in a top state of health in as short a time as possible. We offer same day service in many situations. We will provide you with a full estimate of the time it takes to do the job as well as how much the work will cost. There are never any hidden fees or nasty surprises when the bill is due.


Contact Crosscreek Environmental for More Info
We understand that you may have many questions, comments, or concerns that you would like to share with us. We are available to answer these queries at a number of locations on and off the world wide web. Crosscreek Environmental is committed to giving you state of the art service in a fully personalized manner.

If you would like more info on how to secure top level lake and pond management for your community, contact Crosscreek Environmental today. We can be reached by calling 941-479-7811 or emailing admin@crosscreekenv.com. You can also go to our site to contact us by filling out our online Pricing Request Form.

Riprap sounds like the name of a new style of music. Actually, it's a material used to prevent scouring and erosion along shorelines. You may have heard it called by other names like shot rock, rock armor, or rubble.

No matter what you call it, if you have property that's along a river or lake, a riprap installation may be the answer you've been looking for.

What Exactly Is Riprap?

The term "riprap" refers to rocky material placed along shorelines, around bridge foundations, and on steep slopes to protect the area from erosion and scouring. The rocks used can range from 4 inches on the low end and go up to over 24 inches on the high end.

It's important to use a mixture of sizes to create a tight interlock for maximum protection. Clean rocks with sharp edges form the most cohesive barrier.

The size of the material used on a particular project depends on a few things:

• The area to be covered
• The steepness of the slope
• The speed of the water

Larger material withstands more force, while smaller material helps protect the soil underneath from being scoured away. Adding a membrane over the soil below prevents it from moving up through the rocks.

From an aesthetic point of view, riprap can look natural, especially with local vegetation growing amidst the rocks. In time, wildlife often create homes in among the rocks. It can create an entire habitat, depending on the size of the project.

Wildlife can have trouble climbing up the rocky slope. Adding smaller rocks and soil among the larger material can make it easier for them.

Where Is Riprap Used?

Engineers, environmentalists, and architects like to use riprap anywhere they want to protect a shoreline or structure from moving water. Some common applications include:

• Around bridge pylons and slopes
• On the outer edge of river bends, slowing down the water's power
• Along the edge of lakes to prevent erosion due to waves
• Paired with walls to prevent undercutting of structures and utilities

Riprap is also commonly used to create spillways. Excess water spills over the banks of a river or lake and runs down the spillway to prevent or mitigate flooding and shore erosion.

This material is not a good option for securing slopes that are steeper than 2 feet of horizontal extension for every 1 foot of drop. A steep slope creates a situation where rocks can fall dislodge and fall down the slope. This opens up the exposed area to water erosion.

How Is Riprap Used?

The traditional use of riprap is standalone. It's basically a stack of rocks that starts below the water line and moves up the embankment. The faster the water moves, the thicker the layer of riprap has to be, to withstand erosion.

In areas with fast water movement, the amount of rock required can be extensive. This leads to a higher cost. Where large rocks aren't locally available, the cost can be even higher.

To lower costs, partially grouted riprap has become an accepted alternative to traditional stacking. The contractor's crews uses a cement-adhesive mixture to adhere smaller rocks together, forming a stability matrix.

With this method, less material is required without compromising the structural stability and durability. It offers a considerable cost savings on projects where material isn't readily available.

If you have a shoreline that's eroding, a riprap installation could solve your problem permanently. It's important to have an expert take a look and recommend a solution that's both environmentally sound and financially doable. Give us a call today at 941-479-7811 or email us at admin@crosscreekenv.com to request a quote!

Your storm drain is an extremely handy feature of your home. If maintained in the correct fashion, it can help prevent a great many problems. But if left alone for too long, it can become a source of serious menace. This is why you need to schedule a regular stormwater inspection from a trusted authority in your region.

What is a Storm Water Inspection?
Storm water inspections are one of the most common examples of a Best Management Practice (BMP). This is a routine check that you can schedule in order to identify areas that may soon develop a propensity for leaking pollutants. Some of the most common areas in this category are storm drains, stockpiles and loading docks.

You can schedule a storm drain check in order to accurately assess the present condition and long term viability of all of your drain protection products. These will include the products that you may already have in place. However, you can also use this routine check to test new products that you are thinking of adding to the mix.

It is highly recommended that you take notice of and follow the BMP in this area. By doing so, you can assure that routine repairs can be conducted in an efficient and timely manner. This will prevent the weakening or total failure of the control measures that you currently have in place to prevent storm drain back ups.

This type of inspection is also regularly used in order to keep track of your compliance with the permit conditions that apply in your local area. It is also a common procedure for training personnel to conduct inspections in the proper manner. For all of these reasons and more, this is a highly significant inspection.

Why Are Storm Water Inspections Necessary?
When it comes to keeping your storm water drain free of clogs and other hindrances, you can't be too careful. This is one routine check that can be the source of numerous problems, many of them potentially serious, if neglected for too long. For this reason, routine checks are both recommended and, in many areas, officially mandated.

A full account of inspection procedures and schedules is required to be included in your SWPPPs (Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans). These plans are required to be filed when your facility applies for NPDES permits. Without proven documentation of an inspection, you will not be able to qualify for this very important permit.

The SWPPP that you file will need to describe the various processes and procedures that you will make use of in order to prevent pollutants from being discharged into nearby waterways. The only way to be able to issue an authoritative guarantee in this area is to include full documentation of a recent storm drain inspection in your plan.

How Often Do You Need to Inspect?
The frequency with which you need to perform an inspection will depend upon your specific local circumstances. Inspections are most often necessary in area where industrial equipment and related materials are stored. Any areas that are regularly exposed to storm water will also need to be inspected on a routine basis.

The area in question may be one where great harm to the environment could result if storm water was released. If this is the case, you can expect to find inspections scheduled much more often. In these areas, inspections may occur daily or once pet shift. In other locations, a quarterly inspections may well be judged sufficient.

The Time to Schedule Your Stormwater Inspection is Now
It's never a good idea to put off a stormwater inspection. This is one type of quality check that could well turn out to be crucial. You don't want to be the one accused later of cutting corners when the health of your community may be involved. The time to call Crosscreek Environmental to schedule your inspection is now.

If you are ready to schedule your stormwater inspection, we are ready to accommodate you. You can call us directly at calling 941-479-7811 or reach us by email at admin@crosscreekenv.com. If you prefer, you can fill out our handy Pricing Request Form for all of the latest info concerning our rates.