Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Question:
What are some of the issues of debris basins?

Answer:
As sediment and debris accumulate in a debris basin, the capacity to capture additional sediment inflow is reduced. If the amount of sediment and debris flowing into the debris basin is greater than the capacity available, the debris basin could overtop, allowing sediment to flow downstream and inundate downstream communities.

Moving sediment out of a debris basin requires excavation equipment and numerous trucks. As most debris basins are located within residential neighborhoods to reduce flood risk for the downstream community, trucks often have to utilize local streets to transport sediment. In an emergency situation, debris basins need to be cleaned out quickly to restore capacity and be ready for the next storm. This sometimes increases operation hours as well as truck traffic.


Sediment