Silt Fence Rules of Thumb: Guiding or Misguided?

J.P. Johns, PE

Silt fence is used for nearly every construction project, but its design and installation is largely based on rules of thumb. SCDOT performed an in-depth analysis of traditional rules of thumb to determine their validity. 100-foot slope length, 0.25-acre, 0.25 cubic feet per second, 80% total suspended solids trapping, and more were evaluated using hydrologic modeling, design aids, sediment calculations and statewide soil data. This presentation will explore the analysis process and facilitate open discussion about this popular best management practice.

Presented by J.P. Johns, PE

Woolpert

Mr. J.P. Johns, P.E., has over 20 years’ experience in hydrology and hydraulic analysis of urban waterways with additional experience in erosion prevention and sediment control, post-construction water quality, and NPDES MS4 program implementation. He earned a B.S. degree in Agricultural Engineering and an MS degree in Biosystems Engineering from Clemson University. He received the IECA 2014 Sustained Contributor Award, is currently the President of the IECA Southeast Chapter, is a member of the South Carolina Association of Stormwater Managers, the Water Environment Association of South Carolina, and sits on the ASTM D18 and C27 committees.