Example check dam types spacing slope applications and longevity
Link to this table
Check Dam Type Spacing for Various Ditch Slopes (feet)1 Slope Applications Longevity
Up to 2% 3-5% 6-9% 10-15%
Mixed size rock (2 ft height) 100 67-40 33-22 20-13 Up to 15% > 2 years
Rock bags (16 inch height) 75 50-30 25-17 15-10 Up to 15% Up to 1 year
Rock bags (10 inch height) 42 28-17 14-9 8-6 Up to 15% Up to 1 year
Triangular sediment dike (10 inch height) 42 28-17 14-9 8-6 Up to 15% 1 to 2 years
Fiber log – wood / mulch (10 inch) 42 28-17 14-9 8-6 Up to 15% 1 to 2 years
Fiber log – straw (10 inch) 42 28-17 14-9 NA Up to 10% Up to 6 months


1 Note: reduce spacing intervals for highly erodible soils.