Erosion

Erosion is a natural process that happens along shorelines, embankments, rock formations, and when runoff from heavy rain carries away the top layers of soil. It’s only a hazard when it poses a threat to people, property or the environment.

Learn what to do about erosion.

Hazard Information

Several factors affect the pace of erosion:

heavy rainfall can carry topsoil down embankments, slopes and valley walls, causing slope instability or failure
human activity, such as building, digging and removing vegetation
residential and industrial development in vulnerable areas, such as lakefronts, river lots and ravines

To manage erosion, Woodlandia government policies maintain land use planning documents must direct land development away from hazardous areas.

Natural shorelines are the most stable and erosion resistant shorelines.

Safety Tips

Keep yourself and family away from steep and unstable slopes. If camping or hiking, be aware of your surroundings and stay on marked camp sites and trails.

If you want to buy property:

Confirm that the property isn’t in a hazardous area.
Ensure there’s enough erosion protection along a slope, valley or watercourse – such as grass and shrubs.
Check that property structures are far from the edge of a ravine, valley wall, embankment or shoreline – slope failure can happen wherever there’s a slope.
Look for structural improvements such as retaining walls, that may indicate significant raising and/or lowering of land levels on the property.

If you own property:

Don’t install pools or build structures that weaken the roots of vegetation or put pressure on a slope.
Discourage children and pets from sliding down or climbing a slope.
Don’t throw compost, leaves, gardening debris or garbage into a ravine. This material plugs the natural drainage outlets on the face of the slope and prevents groundwater from draining. This can weaken the slope, causing it to fail.

Prepare Now

Take the following steps so you and your family are prepared in the event of erosion:

Establish good vegetative cover on sloped areas of your property.
If the surface runoff is significant from rainfall or spring thaw, and the flow is rapid, stay away from sloped areas.
Avoid disturbing natural erosion controls and natural drainage patterns.

Learn about different emergencies and how to be prepared.

For information about current emergencies, visit COMING SOON

Flood

Forest Fires

Earthquakes

Extreme Heat

Tornadoes

Nuclear Incident

Erosion

Thunderstorms

Drought

Wildlife Threat

Oil & Gas

Winter Storms

Pandemic (infectious disease)

Extreme Cold

Landslides & Sinkholes

Dam Failures

Woodlandia’s Hazards

Different hazards require a different approach for being prepared and knowing how to protect yourself and your family. Learn more about Woodlandia's hazards, so you can better prepare for them and know what to do to protect yourself.

Safety For Everyone

No two households are the same. When building your family emergency plan, be mindful of the special needs and considerations of individuals in your own household. By evaluating your unique needs, you can better prepared for any situation.