Modular Sediment Barriers (Instream)

INSTREAM PRACTICES

Flow Control No Channel Flow ✔ Dry Channels ✔

Erosion Control Low Channel Flows ✔ Shallow Water ✔
Sediment Control ✔ High Channel Flows Deep Water

Symbol

Photo 1 – Modular sediment barrier Photo 2 – Modular unit

Modular sediment barriers as discussed within this fact sheet are a modification of the
‘Sediment Weir’ technique presented within a separate fact sheet. It should be noted that
a patented design exists (‘WaterClean FilterBale’ by Star Water Solutions) for individual
modular units containing replaceable filter cartridges and wrapped in filter cloth.

Key Principles
1. Most filtration systems have only a limited ability to capture and retain clay-sized particles;
therefore, operators should not expect a significant change in the colour or clarity of water
passing through the structure, especially when working in clayey soils.
2. Sediment trapping is primarily achieved by the filtration of minor flows passing through the
structure, however, sedimentation may also occur within the settling pond formed by the
modular weir during high flows.
3. The critical design parameter for optimising particle settlement is the ‘surface area’ of the
settling pond. The hydraulic properties of the modular barrier are critical in achieving the
desired stage-discharge relationship to achieve optimum settling pond conditions.
4. The allowable flow rate through the modular barrier is governed by the maximum allowable
hydraulic head, the allowable flow rate per module, and the number of modules.
5. Sediment ‘filtration’ and gravity-induced ‘sedimentation’ can be improved by filling the
modular units with compost or special pollutant-adsorbing filter bags (e.g. ‘WaterClean
FilterBale’), or attach one or more filter tubes to the weir (Figure 4).

Design Information
The following design procedure may not always be applicable due to the absence of product-
specific head vs discharge relationships.

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Wherever possible, product-specific head vs discharge relationships should be obtained from
the manufacturer or distributor. Preference must always be given to head–discharge
relationships determined from prototype testing rather than estimations based on standard
permittivity testing typically based on a hydraulic head of 100mm.

Design Procedure
1. Determine the primary design discharge (Q) for water passing through the modular barrier
just prior to flows overtopping the units (Figure 1). This is normally set equal to the expected
dry weather flow rate of the stream.
2. Determine the weir design discharge (QWEIR) for overtopping flows (Figure 2). The
appropriate design event may be set by the licence conditions (set by State or local
authority), otherwise choose a stream flood frequency of at least 10 times the expected
operational life of the structure, but at least a 1 in 1 year channel flow.
3. Determine the desirable settling pond surface area (As) from Table 1 based on the design
discharge (Q). Where practical, a critical particle size of 0.05mm should be chosen.
4. Determine the maximum allowable water level within the settling pond. This may be based
on-site constraints, or related to flooding and/or public safety issues.
5. Determine the required width of the modular barrier (W). The width (perpendicular to the
direction of flow) may be limited by site constraints, or controlled by the hydraulic
management of overtopping flows. The hydraulic analysis of overtopping flows is normally
based on weir equations—refer to the separate fact sheet ‘Chutes Part 1: General
Information’.
6. Select the required crest elevation of the modular barrier to achieve the desired settling
pond surface area. Ensure the weir crest is sufficiently below the maximum allowable water
elevation to allow for expected overtopping flows (possibly an iterative design step).
Operators should avoid circumstances where the instream settling pond needs to be
excavated (expanded) to achieve the required surface area as this can cause undesirable
channel damage.
7. Determine the maximum allowable head loss (ΔH) through the modular barrier. If flow
conditions downstream of the barrier are such that there is little or no backwater effects
during the design discharge (Q), then assume ΔH is equal to the height of the barrier (H).
If flow depths downstream of the modular barrier are expected to be significant, then the
maximum allowable head loss (ΔH) should be taken as the expected variation in water level
across the barrier during the design discharge.
8. Select an appropriate ‘design’ blockage factor (B.F.).
9. If the available pond surface area is insufficient to settle the required particle size, then the
efficiency of the sediment trap may be improved by incorporating additional filtration system
into the modular units or incorporating Filter Tubes (refer to Filter Tube Barriers) into the
structure. Note the filter tube intake pipes need to be set at an elevation above the expected
settled sediment depth.
10. Determine the rock size required for the splash pad downstream of the modular barrier.

Figure 1 – Minimum design flow condition

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 Figure 2 – Maximum design flow condition

Figure 3 – Typical installation of modular units on channel bed

Incorporating filter tubes into a modular sediment barrier (Figure 4) requires the modification of
some of the modular units to house the connection pipes; however, once modified, these units
can be reused on similar installations.

Figure 4 – Typical arrangement of filter tubes incorporated into a modular sediment trap

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It is important to ensure a good contact is achieved between the modular units and the ground
surface to prevent leakage. When installing a modular sediment barrier into a concrete-lined
drain, benefit may be obtained from using 50mm soft foam as a water seal between the units
and the concrete surface (Figure 5).

Figure 5 – Typical installation of modular sediment barrier within a concrete drain

Settling pond:
Table 1 provides the required pond surface area per unit flow rate for various nominated ‘critical’
sediment particle sizes. The critical sediment particle size for a modular barrier may be
assumed to be 0.05mm unless otherwise directed. The chosen critical sediment size should
reflect the environmental values of the receiving water body and the expected weather
conditions.
Ideally, the settling pond should have a length (in the main direction of flow) at least three times
its average width. If the pond length is less than three times its average width, then the pond
area should be increase by 20% from the values presented in Table 1.
It is noted that achieving the minimum pond surface area may not be practical in all
circumstances, in which case a greater focus should be placed on the design of additional filter
medium and/or the incorporation of filter tubes (Figure 4).

Table 1 – Minimum settling pond surface area per unit inflow rate

Critical Surface area of settling pond per Allowable

Design unit discharge (m2/m3/s) [1]
standard sediment size through-
(mm) 10° C [2] 15° C [2] 20° C [2] velocity (m/s)
0.50 6 5.2 4.6 0.3
Type 3
sediment trap 0.20 38 33 29 0.3
0.15 67 60 52 0.3
Type 2 0.10 150 130 115 0.2
sediment trap 0.05 600 525 460 0.2
Type 1 0.04 940 820 720 0.2
sediment trap 0.02 3700 3230 2860 0.2
[1] Pond area is based on a rectangular pond operating with uniform inflow conditions across its width.
[2] Assume a pond temperature the same as the typical rainwater temperature during the time of year
when the pond is likely to be operating at capacity.

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Description Installation
A sediment filtration barrier formed from 1. Prior to commencing any works, obtain
modular units wrapped in filter cloth. all necessary approvals and permits
required to conduct the necessary
Purpose works including permits for the
disturbance of riparian and aquatic
Modular sediment barriers are a specialist
vegetation, and the construction of all
sediment control system developed for
permanent or temporary instream
specialist installation purposes.
barriers and instream sediment control
Originally developed to allow the formation measures.
of a ‘Sediment Weir’ type structure within
2. Refer to approved plans for location
concrete lined drainage channels during
and installation details. If there are
construction and maintenance activities.
questions or problems with the location
Used as an alternative to a straw bale or method of installation contact the
barrier. engineer or responsible on-site officer
for assistance.
Limitations
3. If there is flow within the watercourse or
In the absence of an appropriate internal drainage channel at the time of
filter media, the filter cloth provides limited construction of the modular barrier,
capture of clay-sized particles. then install appropriate downstream
sediment control devices and/or flow
Advantages diversion systems prior to construction
of the barrier. Such measures should
Light, reusable and durable.
only be installed if considered
appropriate for the local conditions, and
Disadvantages only if their installation is judged to
Can be difficult and time consuming to provide a net overall environmental
install. benefit.
4. To the maximum degree practical,
Special Requirements construction activities and equipment
It is important to ensure a good contact is must not operate within open flowing
achieved between the modular units and waters.
the ground surface to prevent leakage.
5. Where practicable, divert all surface
Various anchoring systems can be water runoff from the adjacent
employed (including the use of timber construction site into stable,
stakes) so long as the system is able to undisturbed, vegetated areas adjoining
suitable restrain the units from movement. the watercourse so as to minimise the
direct discharge of sediment-laden
Site Inspection water into flowing channel waters.
Check for leakage under or around the 6. Ensure clearing and excavation of
sediment trap. access paths and the banks and bed of
the watercourse are limited to the
Check for excessive sedimentation around minimum practicable.
the entrance to the filter tubes (if used).
7. If flow diversion systems cannot be
Check for sediment crusting on the surface installed, then conduct bank
of the filter fabric. excavations by pulling the soil away
from the channel.
Materials
8. If dispersive, highly unstable, or highly
• Modular units: open mesh stackable erosive soils are exposed, then priority
cells (e.g. Atlantis Matrix Tank Modules must be given to the prompt
or milk crates). stabilisation of all such areas.
• Filter Fabric: heavy-duty, needle- 9. Clear the foundation area of the
punched, non-woven filter cloth modular barrier of woody vegetation
minimum ‘bidim’ A44 or equivalent. and organic matter. Delay any channel
• Aggregate: 15 to 25mm clean gravel or disturbances up-slope of the barrier
aggregate. until the barrier is able to act as a
suitable sediment trap.
• Foam: minimum 50mm thick, soft foam.

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10. Using minimum 2.4m wide fabric, lay Maintenance
the fabric on the ground with at least
1. Inspect the modular barrier daily and
200mm of the fabric placed upstream of
after any changes in stream flow. Make
the barrier.
repairs as needed.
11. If more than one sheet of fabric is used,
2. Inspect the barrier for undercutting or
then overlap the filter fabric a minimum
undesirable seepage flows.
of 600mm at all joints.
3. If flow through the structure is reduced
12. Place the modules end to end of the
to an unacceptable level, the filter
fabric with the upstream edge aligned
medium should be removed and
with the down-slope edge of the trench.
replaced.
13. Fold the remainder of the filter cloth
4. If a greater degree of water treatment
over the modular units such that the
(filtration) is required, extra geotextile
end of the fabric extends at least
filter fabric should be placed over the
200mm upstream of the barrier.
upstream face of the structure.
14. Secure stakes immediately up-slope
5. Check the structure and surrounding
and downstream of each modular unit.
channel banks for damage from
The upstream stake should be used to
overtopping flows and make repairs as
both secure the modular units and
necessary.
anchor the fabric.
6. Immediately replace any rock displaced
15. Using either a timber cross member or
from the downstream splash pad.
crisscrossed wire, secure the modular
units to the stakes such that vertical 7. Remove sediment and restore original
movement is prevented. sediment storage volume when
collected sediment exceeds 10% of the
16. Use a continuous layer of sand or
specified storage volume.
aggregate to hold the fabric firmly on
the channel bed. 8. Dispose of sediment and debris in a
manner that will not create an erosion
17. Use geotextile fabric and/or minimum
or pollution hazard.
200mm diameter rock to form a splash
pad that extends downstream from the
Removal
barrier a distance at least twice the
height of the barrier. 1. The modular barrier should be removed
as soon as possible after they are no
Alternative requirements for placement longer needed.
within a concrete channel:
2. If there is flow within the watercourse or
1. Place a continuous layer of minimum drainage channel at the time of removal
50mm soft foam across the channel at of the modular barrier, then install
the proposed location of the sediment appropriate instream sediment control
barrier. devices and/or flow diversion systems
prior to its removal.
2. Cover the foam with filter fabric before
placing the central core of tightly 3. All settled sediment upstream should
packed modules. Sufficient length of be removed prior to removal of the
fabric should exist upstream of the modular barrier. Dispose of the
barrier to allow the fabric to eventually sediment in a manner that will not
be placed over the modules to form a create an erosion or pollution hazard.
continuous sediment barrier. Overlap
the filter fabric a minimum of 600mm at 4. Remove all materials used to form the
modular barrier including the geotextile
all joints, with the upstream strip laid
over the downstream strip. filter cloth and recycle or dispose of in a
manner that will not create an erosion
3. Place the modules end to end across or pollution hazard.
the channel, then fold the filter cloth
over the modules. 5. Restore the watercourse channel to its
original cross-section, and smooth and
4. Place a solid timber beam on top of the appropriately stabilise and/or re-
sediment barrier and anchor the beam vegetate all disturbed areas.
to the channel bed using rock bolts and
heavy-duty wire ties.

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