Inspecting and maintaining erosion control structures

Why regular monitoring is important

You should check erosion control structures regularly, particularly after heavy rain. Monitoring helps identify small issues before they become serious problems.

After construction, inspect new structures before the next major rain event. This is especially important if groundcover has not yet established. Look for signs of:

• small holes or depressions forming around structure edges
• water bypassing or flowing around the structure
• fresh sediment in nearby waterways, which indicates active erosion.

Act early on any small-scale erosion to prevent larger failures. If you’re unsure, seek advice from a local soil or water management specialist.

Set up a monitoring system

A consistent monitoring system makes it easier to detect changes over time.

Photo monitoring

You can set up photo monitoring points at fixed locations. Take photos from the same position at regular intervals to record changes. Taking photos of active erosion is most effective when a person stands close to the problem for scale.

Visual reference points

If you are unsure if erosion is active in a flowline, install pegs either side at the top of the gully head. After significant rainfall has occurred line the pegs up to see if erosion has moved. 

Installing star pickets on each side of this headcut may help to detect any further erosion

What to look for during inspections

Soil slumping, cracking and undermining 

Burrowing animals may dig around and under your erosion control structures. This can undermine the structure, allowing surface water and runoff to enter under the structure and creating voids that can impact the structural integrity.

Look for early signs and deter animals from this kind of activity.

Burrowing under a flume apron may cause it to fail

Trees and shrubs

Trees and shrubs planted in the right place may help to stabilise soil and prevent erosion. However, tree roots in the wrong place may become a conduit for water to move through. This can cause sub-surface erosion and may cause the failure of structures. For this reason, trees should not be planted on dam walls, banks, or the edges of flumes and rock ramps, and must be removed if they establish naturally. 

Damaged fences 

Erosion control structures are usually fenced off. Fencing protects the structure from stock damage and minimise grazing pressure so that grass can grow and stabilise the soil. You should inspect fences on a regular basis. Repair, if necessary, to ensure that they remain stock proof.

Loss of ground cover 

It is important to maintain 80% or more groundcover around structures. This should mostly consist of grasses, not woody vegetation. Good groundcover around erosion structures provides protection for the topsoil from wind and rain. Plants will also slow surface water flow and runoff that may impact sensitive areas.

This unfenced flume has low surrounding groundcover which is under threat from further erosion