Erosion | erosion impacting the Chichaoua watershed will


present substantial challenges for the sustainable management of the region’s soil and water resources. It underscores the pressing necessity of implementing targeted erosion control strategies, particularly around key infrastructures like the Boulaouane dam. The authors believe the results of their study could serve as valuable tools for basin managers to design effective soil and water conservation policies. Their significance would be further enhanced if combined with methods based on field measurements, ensuring the sustainability of future reservoirs.


Above: Ruzi grass has been used for erosion control


References


First results of soil and water bioengineering interventions to stabilise and control erosion processes in hydroelectric power plant reservoirs in Brazil by Rita dos Santos Sousa, Junior Joel Dewes, Hans Peter Rauch, Fabrício Jaques Sutili, Stephan Hörbinger. Ecological


Engineering 211 (2025) 107458. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. ecoleng.2024.107458


Analysis of Erosion Rate and Sedimentation Rate at Batujai Dam Using USLE and MUSLE Methods by Ni Luh Putu Lavidya Amartya Utari, I Wayan Yasa, Yusron Saadi, Eko Pradjoko. Asian Journal of Engineering, Social and Health. Volume 4, No. 1 January 2025 - (218-229)


Estimating erosion, sediment yield, and dam lifetime using revised universal soil loss equation and potential erosion model in the Chichaoua watershed and Boulaouane Dam, High Atlas, Morocco by Abdeslam Baiddah , Samira Krimissa Maryem Ismaili, Sonia Hajji, Mustapha Namous, Fatima Aboutaib, Hasna Eloudi, Nasem Badreldin. Ecological Engineering & Environmental


Technology, 2025, 26(3), 132–158 https://doi.org/10.12912/ 27197050/199824


www.damsafety.org


Field performance of erosion control on Lamtakong dam slopes using geocell and ruzi grass cover: A case study by Nuttawut Thanasisathit, Supphanut Chuenjaidee, Panich Voottipruex, Pornkasem Jongpradist, Patara Kalayasri, Pitthaya Jamsawang. Geotextiles and Geomembranes Volume 53, Issue 6, December


2025, Pages 1610-1622 https://doi.org/10.1016/j. powtec.2025.120805


Maintaining vegetation Properly maintained vegetation can not only help


prevent the erosion of embankment dams, in the US it can also aid in the control of troublesome groundhogs and muskrats.


As the Association of State Dam Officials (ASDSO)


explains, although grass vegetation is an effective and inexpensive way to prevent erosion of embankment surfaces, uncontrolled growth of vegetation can damage embankments, making them more difficult to inspect.


Embankment slopes are normally designed and constructed so that surface runoff will be spread out in a thin layer as “sheet flow” over the grass cover. However, if the grass is in poor condition or flow is concentrated at one or more locations, the resulting erosion will leave rills and gullies in the embankment slope. This can cause loss of material and make maintenance of the embankment difficult. Prompt repair is required to prevent more serious damage. It’s also recommended that trees and brush are not on embankment surfaces or in vegetated earth spillways either. Extensive root systems can provide seepage paths for water, while trees that blow down or fall over can leave large holes in the embankment surface. This will weaken the embankment, possibly leading to increased erosion. In addition, footpaths both from animals and pedestrians can pose problems for many embankments. Vehicles can also severely damage vegetation on embankments with worn areas potentially leading to erosion and more serious problems. Bare areas on an embankment are void of protective cover (eg, grass, asphalt, riprap etc), making them more susceptible to erosion which can lead to localised stability problems such as small slides and sloughs. As the ASDSO explains, the advantages of proper


maintenance of vegetal cover includes unobstructed viewing during inspection, maintenance of a non- erodible surface, aesthetics, and discouragement of burrowing animal habitation. Indeed, rodents such as the groundhog, muskrat, and beaver are attracted to dams and reservoirs, and can be quite dangerous to the structural integrity and proper performance of the embankment and spillway. Groundhog and muskrat burrows can weaken the embankment and act as pathways for seepage. Barriers to prevent burrowing offer the most practical protection for earthen structures. A properly constructed riprap and filter layer will discourage burrowing, and dens should be eliminated without delay because damage from just one hole can lead to failure of a dam or levee.


20 | November 2025 | www.waterpowermagazine.com


Recurring erosion At the Lamtakong Dam in Thailand, recurring slope


erosion is posing a threat to both the structural integrity of embankments and the operational efficiency of water storage systems. Although the Lamtakong Jolabha Vadhana power plant is one of the key hydropower projects in Thailand, erosion along its reservoir slopes has caused frequent sediment accumulation and slope collapses. These issues have necessitated the implementation of effective and sustainable erosion control measures to stabilise the surrounding terrain and mitigate further land degradation. Vegetation can play a crucial role in reducing runoff velocity, increasing soil shear strength, and promoting water infiltration, making it a natural and effective means of stabilising slopes. The root systems of plants bind soil particles together, decreasing the likelihood of soil displacement and reinforcing slope stability. Among various plant species, Ruzi grass has gained recognition as being a highly effective erosion control species due to its fast growth rate, extensive root system, and ability to cover slopes rapidly. It acts as a natural barrier, reducing the energy of raindrop impact and minimising soil particle detachment. Additionally, its dense network of roots helps anchor the soil in place, preventing sediment transport and reinforcing slope stability. It’s also adaptable to different soil conditions and has minimal maintenance requirements, making it an ideal candidate for large- scale slope stabilisation projects. Despite its potential, the combined use of geocells and Ruzi grass for erosion control has not been extensively studied in field conditions. While geocells provide structural stability and soil confinement, Ruzi grass can complement this reinforcement by mitigating surface erosion and enhancing water infiltration. However, limited studies have systematically evaluated the effectiveness of this integrated approach under varying rainfall intensities and slope gradients. Addressing these knowledge gaps is said to be essential for optimising erosion control strategies that balance structural reinforcement, ecological sustainability, and cost- efficiency.


A study in Geotextiles and Geomembranes has investigated the field performance of an integrated geocell and Ruzi grass erosion control system in the Lamtakong Dam area of Thailand. Results show the combined system gives a 90% runoff reduction with geocell and Ruzi grass, with 60%–80% of geocell coverage providing substantial erosion control, and Ruzi grass alone reducing sediment by 40%. The system is also effective across slopes and rainfall intensities and proves to be cost-efficient erosion control with optimised geocell use. The authors conclude their field study confirms the effectiveness of integrating geocell reinforcement with Ruzi grass for slope erosion control under varying rainfall intensities and slope gradients. The combined system substantially reduces surface runoff and sediment transport by providing mechanical stabilisation and promoting vegetation cover. The findings offer practical insights for implementing sustainable and cost-effective erosion control strategies, especially in steep and erosion- prone areas.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45