MoDOT Erosion Control Study

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) District 9 started an erosion control study in 2007 in Carter County along the highway 60 right of way east of Van Buren. The 3 year study is in cooperation with the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Plant Materials Center in Elsberry, Missouri; Big Springs Resource Conservation & Development Council; and Carter Co. Soil and Water Conservation District. 

The study plans to evaluate different seeding mixtures, fertilizer and lime treatments, temporary erosion control blankets, and composting mixtures that will work best to control soil erosion on the cut and fill slopes created by new highway construction in the district. 

Excessive soil erosion occurring after construction of 2 new lanes of highway 60 in recent years has caused concerns about the amount of sediment impacting the water quality in the Current River and its tributaries.  Current River is listed as an Outstanding National Resource Water by the EPA.

For more information about the project, contact the MoDOT District 9 office in Willow Springs at 417-469-3134 or the Big Springs RC&D Office at 573-323-8496.   To view a preliminary report on the project, click on the link below and scroll to page 157 through 171.

http://www.plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/pubs/mopmctr7815.pdf

For more information on the NRCS Plant Materials Program visit:  http://www.mo.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/mopmc.html

                                  Erosion Before Study                                               Dozer Filling Gullies

                               Hydroseeding                                                News Release Photo - June 7,2007

  Erosion Blanket vs. No Erosion Blanket                 Grass Plants w/Erosion Blanket

Evaluating Plant Density