Topsoil Management Guidance for the Engineering Community
Co-Presented by, Sara Johnson, PE, CFM & Jim Wulliman, P.E.
Healthy topsoil and vegetation work together to provide substantial benefits, including:
• Increased infiltration
• Reduced peaks, volumes, and frequency of runoff
• Improved filtering and water quality
• Better land stabilization with reduced erosion
• Improved water conservation
Topsoil and vegetation management has risen in importance within civil engineering projects and has found its way either directly or indirectly into state and local regulations. Whether soils and vegetation are planned as a stormwater control measure (grass buffer, grass swale) or for stabilizing a streambank, the soil quality and vegetation chosen will largely determine the success of the project. Together, healthy soil and vegetation can create onsite infiltration areas to meet water quality regulations. Additionally, they help in establishing stable riparian areas and floodplains where flood flows can be passed without major erosion.
Denver’s Urban Drainage and Flood Control District is developing a guidance document to help project designers assess onsite soils and utilize the best available topsoil to establish healthy vegetation and promote project success. This talk will define key qualities of topsoil and describe a process for assessing and managing topsoil to attain the many benefits that healthy soil and vegetation can offer.