SECTION 207 — CHECK DAMS 200-59 — CHECK DAMS
207.01 Description.
This work includes providing the required check dams and dikes . Install a ll erosion, sediment, and pollution prevention controls and devices before initiating excavation when required by the SWPPP/SESC. Check dams include the following types. SECTION 907 addresses dust control to reduce dust nuisance and hazards. Sand Bag Erosion Dikes. This work includes the placement of sandbags across either riprap or earth ditches, forming a dike to create temporary sediment basins for pollution control. Stone Check Dams. This work includes the placement of stone in ditches or drainage swales. Compost Filter Sock Check Dams. This work includes a flexible mesh tube filled with composted material and staked to the ground with wooden stakes.
207.02 Materials.
Sand Bag Erosion Dikes. Use material for dumped stone that complies with Subsection M10.03.2 for Modified NSA Class R-4 riprap. Use filled sand bags that weigh a minimum of 60 lb. Stone Check Dams. Use filter stone that complies with Subsection M01.09, Table I, Column V. Compost Filter Sock Check Dams. Provide compost filter sock material according to AASHTO Designation R 51- 13. In addition, ensure that the compost material meets all applicable Federal and State regulations. For compost filter socks 18 in. or less in diameter, provide wooden stakes that are 1 in. × 1 in. and with a length that projects into the soil 1 ft, leaving 3 in. to 4 in. protruding above the filter sock. For compost filter socks greater than 18 in. in diameter, provide wooden stakes that are 2-in. × 2-in. and with a length that projects into the soil 1 ft, leaving 3 in. to 4 in. protruding above the filter sock. Place stakes at the ends and at 5-ft intervals, center on center.
207.03 Construction Methods.
Provide the required erosion and pollution controls before initiating any drainage, roadway , or bridge construction or for the disturbance of any soils.
Part 200 — Earthwork and Erosion Control August 2025
200-60 SECTION 207 — CHECK DAMS Sand Bag Erosion Dikes.
a.Installation. Place the sand bags a minimum of four layers high. Over the center of the ditch, ensure that the top layer of sand bags has a weir opening equal to one half the bottom ditch width. Extend the sand bags a length so that the bottom of the end sand bags are higher in elevation than the top of the lowest middle sand bag. Where the sand bag dike is constructed across an earth ditch, protect the downstream side of the dike at the weir opening with Modified NSA Class R-4 dumped riprap.
b.Removal. Remove sand bag erosion dikes before Project completion when designated by the Engineer. Before removal, remove all accumulated sediment and debris on the upstream side. Do not remove check dams until the adjacent exposed areas are free from future uncontrolled discharges . Upon removal of the sand bag erosion dikes , backfill the remaining exposed areas, rake and grade to match the surrounding grade, and then seed. Stone Check Dams.
a.Installation. Place the stone across the ditch or swale to achieve total coverage and shape to the required configuration. Slope the stone from the sides of the ditch/swale towards the center so that the center is 6 in. lower than the stone at the sides of the ditch/swale. Provide a check dam with 2H:1V side slopes that do not exceed 2 ft in height.
b.R emoval . Remove stone check dams before Project completion when designated by the Engineer. Do not remove until the adjacent exposed areas are free from future uncontrolled discharges. Before removal, remove all accumulated sediment on the upstream side. Upon removal of the Stone Check Dams, backfill the remaining exposed areas, rake and grade to match the surrounding grade, and then seed. Compost Filter Sock Check Dams.
a.Installation. The following stipulations apply: ● Compost filter sock check dams may be either fabricated on site or delivered to the site. ● Trenching is not required. Place c ompost filter sock check dams over the top of ground, and drive wooden stakes in pairs on each side of the filter socks to anchor the stakes to the ground . Cut down or remove heavy vegetation, and grade uneven surfaces to ensure that the compost filter sock uniformly contacts the ground surface. These may be placed over the top of rolled erosion control mats or turf reinforcement mats, and may be stacked if additional height is needed. ● Install compost filter sock check dams perpendicular to flow. Extend the check dams to a length where the bottoms of each end are higher in elevation than the lowest middle part or to where the top of the banks (maximum flow line) are reached.
b.Removal. This work includes the removal of the compost filter sock and stakes . Before removal, remove all accumulated sediment and debris on the upstream side. Do not
Part 200 — Earthwork and Erosion Control August 2025
SECTION 207 — CHECK DAMS 200-61 remove compost filter sock check dams until the adjacent exposed areas are relatively free from future uncontrolled discharges. Unless biodegradable, cut open the mesh filter sock material and remove the mesh. In general, the compost filter material may remain in place. Rake the material level to the surrounding grades, and then seed.
207.04 Method of Measurement.
Sand Bag Erosion Checks. Sand Bag Erosion Checks will be measured by the number of sand bags installed. Stone Check Dams. Stone Check Dams will be measured by the cubic feet of stone placed. Compost Filter Sock Check Dams. Compost Filter Sock Check Dams will be measured by the linear feet of continuous runs of the compost filter sock installed.
207.05 Basis of Payment.
The Department will pay for the completed and accepted quantities at the Contract unit prices as follows. Pay Item Pay Unit Sand Bag Erosion Checks PBag Stone Check Dams CF Compost Filter Sock Check Dams LF Sand Bag Erosion Checks. The price constitutes full compensation for all labor, equipment , and materials, including bags, sand, the subsequent removal of sand bags, removal and disposal of entrapped material, and all other incidentals required to finish the work, complete and accepted. Stone Check Dams. The price constitutes full compensation for all labor, materials, and equipment, including the subsequent removal of the stone, removal and disposal of entrapped material, and all incidentals required to finish the work, complete and accepted. Compost Filter Sock Check Dams. The price constitutes full compensation for all labor, materials, and equipment, including mesh filter socks, removal of mesh filter socks, compost filter material, stakes, removal of stakes,
Part 200 — Earthwork and Erosion Control August 2025
200-62 SECTION 207 — CHECK DAMS removal and disposal of entrapped material, backfill material, grading, raking and seeding as necessary to match the surrounding area, and all incidentals required to finish the work, complete and accepted. Cleaning and Maintenance. The cleaning and maintenance of Sand Bag Erosion Checks, Stone Check Dams, and Compost Filter Sock Ditch will be paid for under SECTION 212.
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Source: Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction (Blue Book), 2022 (Aug 2025 compilation) Edition. Pages 185–188 of 951. View official source ↗