Know Your Area

• One of the most important aspects in preventing erosion is soil type, which will be extremely important in determining which erosion control techniques will work best. Some soils, like the red clay that covers much of the eastern United States, retains water quite readily. Rocky and sandy soils, on the other hand, tend to be more inefficient at retaining moisture, so builders in those areas may need to implement more powerful erosion control techniques.
  
  Your local department of environmental resources is a good place to start if you are planning to build a home, construct a business or work on a landscaping project. The department can provide information on the common soil types in your area and the best way to prevent soil erosion.
  
  

New Construction Erosion Protection

• There are a number of ways to prevent soil erosion when you are building a new home or starting construction on a new business. Putting down a good layer of mulch can help the soil retain moisture and reduce the amount of water that runs off the property. Matting and plastic sheeting can also help to reduce soil erosion. Building a pond into the landscape design can give water that does runoff a place to go and provide a pleasing ascetic as well--water elements can be particularly good choices for business construction.
  
  

Prevent Erosion with Vegetation

• A layer of vegetation can prevent soil erosion as well. Vegetation is a particularly good solution on slopes and hills. Once those plants take root they will soak up the water and reduce the amount of runoff. Layering brush down the slope can also help to reduce soil erosion and help the ground retain moisture.
  
  For steep slopes and other places where adding vegetation would be impractical or impossible, use surfacing elements like large rocks to protect the soil. Placing a textile blanket on top of the soil but underneath the layer of rock can enhance the erosion protection and reduce problems down the road.