Erosion & Sediment Control
Storm Drain Inlet Protection
Every storm drain inlet downstream of disturbed soil is a direct pathway for sediment to leave a construction site and enter the stormwater conveyance system. LES installs inlet protection sized and selected to the inlet type — curb inlets, grate inlets, and drop inlets — and to the drainage area and expected flow at each structure.
What’s Included
- Drainage-area assessment for each inlet on site
- Fabric drop-inlet barrier installation for curb and grate inlets
- Block-and-gravel filter installation for higher-flow structures
- Inlet protection sock and sediment trap installation as conditions require
- Maintenance and sediment removal scheduling tied to site inspection cycles
Technical Notes
Inlet protection method selection matters: fabric drop-inlet barriers, block-and-gravel filters, and inlet protection socks each perform differently under flow, and using the wrong method for the drainage area is a common reason inlet protection fails during a significant storm event rather than during routine inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between inlet protection methods?
Fabric drop-inlet barriers work well for lower-flow curb and grate inlets, while block-and-gravel filters handle higher flow without blowing out. The right method depends on the inlet's drainage area and expected flow, not a default choice.
How often should inlet protection be inspected?
Inlet protection should be checked on the same routine and post-rain-event inspection schedule as the rest of the site's BMPs, with sediment removed before it reduces capacity or causes bypass.
Request a proposal for inlet protection
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