Glossary

The erosion control world is filled with a variety of different terms and phrases that may mean one thing to a seasoned veteran but make no sense whatsoever to someone who is just starting out. ErosionControlNetwork.com has comprised a database of many of these phrases and their definitions to help you gain a better understanding of erosion control terminology. How To Use: Click a letter below to see phrases starting with that letter, or enter your word into the text box below and click the Search button. Search by Alphabet A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z or Search by Keyword All Search Results are Displayed Below Can't Find A Term? If there are any terms or phrases that are not in our database that you think should be, please click on the button below. We will process your request as soon as possible.

Glossary Results ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Backfill The process of filling a cavity with soil, gravel, rock, or other material Backshore The zone of the shore or beach including the berms that lie between the foreshore and the dunes or bluffs. The backshore is acted upon by waves only during severe storms, especially when combined with exceptionally high water. Backwater Area The low-lying lands adjacent to a stream that become flooded during periods of high water Bank The part of the soil next to a stream, lake, or body of water where the soil elevation adjacent to the water is higher than the water level; also embankment Bank slip Downward slippage of the bank of a stream or body of water caused by erosion and stress Bar A sand or gravel deposit in a streambed that is often exposed only during low water periods Beach A deposit of unconsolidated sand along the edge of a sea that extends landward to the base of the dunes or bluff. The zone of sedimentary material that extends landward from the low water line to the place where there is marked change in material or form, or to the line of permanent vegetation (usually the effective limit of storm waves). The seaward limit of a beach is the mean low water line. A beach includes foreshore and backshore. Beach nourishment The process of replenishing a beach, either naturally through accretion due to the longshore transport, or artificially through the deposition of dredged materials Bed The bottom of a channel, creek, river, stream, or other body of water Bed Slope The inclination of the channel bottom 1 2 3 4