Combatting Erosion

[tomc2506]

Hey there,
Nearby there is a section of cliffline facing extensive erosion (up to 3m a year in some parts), mostly from aerial processes (rain and the wind). The geological build up is mostly of clay, and as this holds the water the cliff face tends to slump and is then carried away by sea. It also suffers rill erosion from the wind attacking some layers of sand evident (leftover from the last ice age).

Measures taken to slow down this have been boulders placed in front of a tiny section, which seemed to have helped the immediate area but they are more of a test than anything. Worryingly new housing developments have been erected nearby, and the increased weight seems to be pushing more water out of the cliff face and increasing the erosion. Small groyne sections have also been erected to try and build up the beach, but they have been contructed badly and I doubt that they'd affect the aerial processes anyways?

What proposals would you recommend offering to my local council to slow this erosion down? Also any technical language for the state of this erosion would help (e.g. names for the processes occuring), as this is not my area of expertise.

Don't mean to sound rude but would love some fast answers, as the main council meeting is tomorrow night , thanks all

 

[eric1037]

Have you considered dewatering techniques?

Cutting off the water before it gets to the face of the face of the slope may slow down the erosion.

 

[cvg]

rill erosion can be slowed as suggested. toe erosion from wave action must also be stopped as it can be very serious during storms. the best way is to require building setbacks from the edge of the cliff as is may be impossible to stop the erosion.

 

[tomc2506]

Thanks, these are the type of things I was after . Are there any technical names for the methods mentioned by eric1037 (for more research) and by setbacks does cvg mean levee type things to act as a barrier between the cliff and the sea?

Thanks for the help

 

[cvg]

a sea wall or jetty could act as a barrier between the cliff and sea. by setback, i mean zoning and development restrictions placed to increase the minimum distance between a proposed building and the edge of the cliff. this protects the building / homeowner and reduces the city's liability for approving or issuing a building permit on a potentially unsafe site. it also places less of a load on the edge of the cliff which might cause instability and a slide.