Topic outline

  • NRCS: Control and Mitigation of Gullies

    Credit: 2 PDH

    PDH Course Description:

    This course describes the formation, control, and mitigation of gullies. The severity of gully development depends on a number of factors including soil type, vegetation, rainfall, concentrated flow, and human disturbances.
    Gullies can erode hill slopes and fill stream channels with sediment. Unchecked, they erode and deliver sediment through a variety of processes that cause loss in soil productivity, channel entrenchment, and headward expansion into the landscape.
    To best select a design alternative, the desired results of the landowner must be understood along with the character of the gully and its potential impacts.

    Topics:

    • Classical gullies and ephemeral gullies
    • Gullying processes in streams
    • Issues contributing to gully formation or enlargement
    • Gully erosion control
    • Treatment Options for Gullies
    • Gully Plugs, Debris Dams, Rock Check Dams
    • Grade Control Structures
    • Rock Treatments, Water Diversions, Grassed Waterways
    • Fertilization and Land Reshaping

    To take this course:

    1.) Enroll in Course:
    Click below to enroll:
    (must be logged into your user account)


    2.) Study: Once enrolled, click below to begin the course:

    Download the Study Guide

    3.) Test: Once you've thoroughly read the course materials, please click below to take the final examination.

    Take the final exam

    4.) Certificate: A passing grade of 70% or higher on the exam, is required to receive the certificate of completion for this PDH course.
         NOTE: After the exam is completed, you will need to return to this page, in order to print (download) the certificate of completion.

    Print the Certificate of Completion

    Intended Audience: This course is intended for Civil, Environmental, Land Development, Water Resources, Hydraulic, and other engineering professionals whose job description requires a general knowledge of controlling and mitigating gullies.
    Publication Source: USDA (Natural Resources Conservation Service)

    Harlan Bengtson PhD, PE

    • Topic 1