08/30/2000 Env Bd Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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In your backyard Terraces can break your backyard into several mini gardens. On steep slopes, terracing can make planting a garden feasible. Terraces prevent erosion by shortening the long slope into a series of shorter, more level steps.This allows heavy rains to soak in rather than run off and cause soil erosion. Materials for terraces Building terraces is like building a staircase.The material you use to make the face of the stair may be treated lumber —such as railroad ties, poles, or posts —or bricks, rocks, concrete blocks, or similar materials. Height of walls The steepness of the slope often dictates wall height. Make the terraces in your yard high enough so the land area between them is fairly level. Be sure the terrace material is strong enough and anchored well enough to stay in place through freezing and thawing, rainstorms, and so forth. Large projects, such as retaining walls, may require a profes- sional design and specialized assistance and equipment. Be sure to check local building codes regarding the instal- lation of high walls, and work safely. Erosion control is a consideration Heavy rains can cause erosion between terraces, and create small gullies if water concentrates as it goes over a terrace. To help prevent erosion, add mulch or other good ground cover on land between terraces. 22 Terraces' catch, runoff water, let the water. Soak. into the ground, and' "deliver,'the excess safelyr to the bottom of ", 'a: hillside —much . like eavespouts onT a house. The earthen ' ridges- built. around, a hillside: on the contours cut a Tong; slope into, shorter slopes preventing waterfrom, building to a ,highly erosive force Some terraces, are seededtto grass, which, provides erosion control and a nesting. area for. birds.. Terraces are often, used in combination with other conservation practices to provide more complete soil}`; protection