Steep Gradient [1] Channel Lining ✔ Medium-Long Term ✔ Outlet Control Soil Treatment Permanent ✔ [1] Can be used on short, steep slopes (i.e. batter chutes) if the water depth is shallow and the maximum allowable flow velocity is not exceeded.
Key Principles 1. The principal hydraulic design parameter either the allowable flow velocity or allowable shear stress. 2. The key operational issue is the control of surface flow (with respect to location and velocity), including preventing the diversion of water flow along the up-slope edge of the turf.
Design information Minimum longitudinal grade of 0.2% or 1 in 500. Typical Manning’s (n) roughness values for grass 50–150mm blade length are presented in Table 1. It should be noted that significant variations could occur in the channel roughness depending on the type, health and density of grass. Maximum allowable flow velocities are presented in Table 2 for various soil types, channel gradients and percentage grass cover. Recommended maximum channel bank slopes of 3:1(H:V) for non-mowable banks, and 4:1(H:V) for mowable banks. Channel bank slopes of 6:1(H:V) or flatter are recommended adjacent to roadways for reasons of safety. In circumstances where concentrated flows are likely to occur immediately after establishment of the drain, then the general design option are: • specify an appropriate Erosion Control Mat with grass seeding; • install velocity control Check Dams to limit flow velocities to those acceptable for the unprotected soil; • specify turf (sod) anchored with wooden pegs; • specify pre-grown reinforced grass (Turf Reinforcement Mats, TRMs).
radius (m) 0.1 0.2 0.5 1.0 2.0 5.0 0.1 — — — 0.105 0.081 0.046 0.2 — 0.091 0.068 0.057 0.043 0.030 0.3 0.078 0.064 0.053 0.043 0.031 0.030 0.4 0.063 0.054 0.044 0.033 0.030 0.030 0.5 0.056 0.050 0.038 0.030 0.030 0.030 0.6 0.051 0.047 0.034 0.030 0.030 0.030 0.8 0.047 0.044 0.030 0.030 0.030 0.030 1.0 0.044 0.044 0.030 0.030 0.030 0.030 >1.2 0.030 0.030 0.030 0.030 0.030 0.030 [1] Values are presented to three significant figures for convenience, but this should not imply the values are accurate to three significant figures. A Manning’s roughness of 0.03 is adopted for hydraulic radius greater than 1.2 metres in accordance with recommendations of original research, however this may not always be appropriate.
Table 2 – Maximum allowable velocities for bare earth and grassed channels [1]
Photo 3 – Example of up-slope edge of Photo 4 – Undesirable rilling along edge turf that can redirect water flow of turf caused by lateral inflows
Photo 5 – Lateral turf strips can reduce Photo 6 – Turf should be anchored with the risk of flow diversion along up-slope wooden pegs, not metal staples edge of turf
Photo 7 – Placement of turf in a ‘stretcher Photo 8 – Check dams and sediment traps bond’ form to reduce the risk of rill erosion placed on turfed drains can cause flow occurring between individual strips of turf bypassing and erosion (rilling) along the (flow is from top to bottom of photo) edge of the turf
Manning’s roughness for grass:
In addition to Table 1, the following equations exist for 50-150mm grass: 0.00534 Findlay & Ellul (1976) n = 0.027 + (units: V [m/s], R [m]) ( V.R)0.75
R0.167 Witheridge (2007) n = (units: R [m], S [m/m]) . + 20.77 log(R1.4 . S0.4 ) 5124
Lateral strips of turf (Figures 1 & 2 and Photo 7) can be incorporated into Grass Filter Strips to reduce the risk of erosion along the up-slope edge of the turf. These lateral turf strips are only required if the Grass Filter Strips are not placed along the contour. Such flow control techniques can also be utilised when turf is used a surface lining in drainage channels and chutes to reduce the risk of the types of erosion observed in Photo 4.
Figure 1 – Use of lateral strips of turf to control rilling along the up-slope edge of a roadside grass filter strip
Figure 2 – Placement of turf in high-velocity drainage channels and chutes
Permanent grass-lined drains must be formed in a manner and profile that allows all necessary ongoing maintenance, including if necessary, mowing. If the drain is going to be used as a permanent stormwater treatment swale, then the channel should have a flat base with a bed width of 0.6 to 2.5 metres. Maximum desirable flow velocity of 0.5m/s during the nominated design (treatment) storm. Always seek specific design information from the relevant regulating authority.
Description non-dispersible topsoil should placed over the dispersive soil prior to placement of the Channels and chutes lined with grass either turf. developed from seed, or the placement of turf. To avoid stormwater runoff flowing down the up-slope edge of turf, lateral strips of Purpose turf should butt the upper edge of the turf at maximum 5m intervals. Used as a channel liner in temporary and permanent channels and short, low-velocity Location chutes. Grass linings are normally used in low to Limitations medium velocity channels when the drain is intended to be a permanent or long-term Non-reinforced grass channels are limited drainage feature. to a design velocity of around 1.5 to 2m/s with a minimum slope of 0.2%. Site Inspection Advantages A minimum grass strand length of 50mm should be maintained in areas of medium to The grass can remove sediment and high velocity flow. nutrients during periods of low flow, thus improving the site’s overall discharge water Check for rill erosion around the up-slope quality. edges of the turf.
Disadvantages Installation Minor erosion and soil saturation problems 1. Refer to approved plans for location, can occur if subjected to a constant trickle extent and construction details. If there flow. are questions or problems with the location, extent, or method of In permanent drainage channels, a installation contact the engineer or concrete invert or underground low-flow responsible on-site officer for pipe may be required to alleviate mosquito assistance. and soil saturation problems. 2. Ensure all necessary soil testing (e.g. Common Problems soil pH, nutrient levels) and analysis has been completed, and required soil Rill erosion can occur along the upper edge adjustments performed prior to planting. of the turf if it is not properly laid. 3. Remove all trees, brush, stumps, and Early failure of a channel can result if the other objectionable material from the grass or turf is established directly on a channel footprint and dispose of dispersive soil. properly. Invert erosion can be result from high 4. Excavate the channel and shape it to velocity flows occurring during the grass neat lines and dimensions shown on establishment period (grass seeding). the approved plan. Ensure an adequate Turf strips can be displacement by high allowance in the excavated dimensions, velocity flows if such flows occur within the typically 75mm, for the placement first few weeks after placement. topsoil and turfing. 5. Remove and properly dispose of all Special Requirements excess soil so that surface water may A uniform and complete grass cover is enter the channel freely. usually required to control soil erosion. 6. The procedures used to establish grass May require diversion of flows while grass within the channel will depend upon the is being established (grass seeding). expected weather conditions, the type of grass, and the likely flow conditions Requires placement of a suitable topsoil within the channel during and layer prior to seeding or laying turf. immediately after planting. Ensure the Turf is normally placed transversely on adopted planting procedures are ripped subsoils that have been covered with consistent with the approved plans or a 75mm layer of topsoil. the recommendations of the landscape designers. Turf usually cannot be placed directly over a dispersive soil. A minimum 75mm layer of
Additional requirements when laying turf 12. Water until the soil is wet 100mm below within a drainage channel: the turf. Thereafter, watering should be 1. Turf should be used within 12-hours of sufficient to maintain and promote delivery, otherwise ensure the turf is healthy growth. stored in conditions appropriate for the weather conditions (e.g. a shaded Maintenance area). 1. During the initial root establishment 2. Moistening the turf after it is unrolled period, check grassed channels after will help maintain its viability. every rainfall. 3. Turf should be laid on a minimum 2. After grass is established, periodically 75mm bed of adequately fertilised check the channel including after topsoil. Rake the soil surface to break significant storm events. the crust just before laying the turf. 3. Check for erosion along the edge of the 4. During the warmer months, lightly turfed area. If erosion is occurring, take irrigate the soil immediately before appropriate measures to avoid further laying the turf. erosion. 5. Ensure the turf is not laid on gravel, 4. If damage has occurred, immediately heavily compacted soils, or soils that initiate repairs with turf or by seeding as have been recently treated with appropriate. herbicides. 5. Remove excessive sediment deposition 6. Lay the first row of turf in a straight line or debris from the channel to maintain diagonal to the direction of flow. the channel’s required hydraulic Stagger subsequent rows in a brick-like capacity. (stretcher bond) pattern. The turf should 6. Maintain a healthy and vigorous grass not be stretched or overlapped. Use a condition whenever and wherever knife or sharp spade to trim and fit possible, including watering and irregularly shaped areas. fertilising as needed. 7. Ensure the turf extends up the sides of 7. Ensure a minimum grass leaf blade the channel at least 100mm above the length of 50mm is maintained in areas elevation of the channel bed, or at least subject to medium to high flow to a sufficient elevation to fully contain velocities, and 20 to 50mm in low the expected channel flow that is velocity areas. considered likely to occur within the first month after placement. 8. Mowing should not be attempted until the turf is firmly rooted, usually 2 to 3 8. On channel gradients of 3:1(H:V) or weeks after laying. steeper, or wherever erosion may be a problem, or in situations where high 9. All reasonable measures shall be taken flow velocities (i.e. velocity > 1.5m/s) to collect grass clippings immediately are likely within the first 2-weeks after mowing if their removal by following placement, secure the subsequent channel flows would individual turf strips with wooden pegs. contaminate sensitive downstream waterways or otherwise cause 9. Ensure that intimate contact is achieved undesirable environmental harm. and maintained between the turf and the soil such that seepage flow beneath the turf is avoided. 10. Where practicable, once fixed in place, the turf should be rolled with a roller weighing 60 to 90kg/m width, then watered. 11. After rolling, lightly spread screened topsoil to replace topsoil lost from the turf and to fill any gaps between the rows.
