Erosion control system and method

Abstract

Systems and methods for stabilizing a sloped soil surface are provided which generally include a woven or nonwoven matting, blanket, netting, or other porous material anchored to a bare soil surface, and a bonded fiber mulching material injected into the porous material to form a desirable microclimate effective in promoting growth of vegetation.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of stabilizing a surface, the method comprising the steps of: 
 disposing a porous element on a surface to be stabilized;    depositing a flowable material onto the porous element, said flowable material entering openings defined within said porous element; and    allowing the flowable material to set within said openings, the porous element and set flowable material forming a microclimate on said surface favorable to growth of vegetation.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of depositing a flowable material is performed after the step of disposing the porous element on the surface to be stabilized.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising the step of fastening the porous element onto the surface to be stabilized before the step of depositing the flowable material.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of depositing comprises the step of injecting the flowable material into the porous element.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the step of injecting comprises injecting the flowable material into the porous element using conventional seeding apparatus.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of depositing comprises hydraulically applying the flowable material to the porous element porous element.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of depositing comprises hydraulically applying a mulching material to the porous element.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of depositing comprises hydraulically applying a bonded fiber matrix material to the porous element.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the porous element comprises a reinforced fiber matting.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the porous element comprises a three-dimensional, cellular matting.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the porous element comprises a substantially two-dimensional netting material.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of disposing comprises securing the porous element to the surface prior to the step of depositing.  
     
     
         13 . A system for stabilizing a surface prone to soil erosion, the system comprising: 
 a porous element disposed on a surface to be stabilized; and    a matrix material incorporated within the porous element;    the system being made by anchoring the porous element to the surface and thereafter injecting a fluid matrix material into the porous element and thereafter allowing the fluid matrix material to set within openings defined within the porous element.    
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the porous element is a cellular matting.  
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the porous element comprises a netting material.  
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the matrix material comprises a mixture of fibers bonded with a polymer material.