Designing contour weep berms to reduce agricultural nonpoint source pollution

R. C. Warner, C. T. Agouridis, R. L. Guffey

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Nonpoint source pollution (NPS) of surface waters is a significant issue in agricultural lands, and best management practices (BMPs) are often used to reduce these impacts. Since the effectiveness of a BMP depends on a large number of widely varying factors, it is important to continue to develop BMPs in order to provide designers withmore tools to use to maximize NPS removal. The contour weep berm is a new structural BMP constructed out of earth and subsequently vegetated. It is a linear BMP that is used in combination with a down-gradient vegetated filter strip or forested riparian buffer. Preliminary field evaluations of the contour weep berm indicate it is effective at reducing runoff volumes and peaks, promoting infiltration, and reducing sediment concentrations in runoff. Procedures for designing a contour weep berm are presented along with a design example. Linear BMPs, such as the contour weep berm, can provide producers with another means of effectively controlling NPS.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)521-528
Number of pages8
JournalApplied Engineering in Agriculture
Volume29
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013

Keywords

  • Best management practices
  • Environmental protection
  • Infiltration
  • Runoff
  • Structures

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Engineering

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