Practice Test Geeks(CESSWI) Certified Erosion, Sediment, and Storm Water Inspector Practice Test
← All CESSWI Flashcard Decks

Erosion & Sediment Control Principles Flashcards

7 cards from real CESSWI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Erosion & Sediment Control Principles flashcards as text

  1. What is the primary function of a check dam installed in a drainage swale on a construction site?

    Answer: To reduce flow velocity and promote sediment deposition within the swale

    Check dams slow water velocity within the swale, encouraging sediment to settle out before runoff reaches a receiving water body.

  2. Under the RUSLE model, increasing the slope length (L factor) while keeping all other factors constant will have what effect on predicted soil loss?

    Answer: Soil loss increases because longer slopes accumulate more runoff

    Greater slope length allows runoff to accumulate and gain erosive energy, resulting in higher predicted soil loss when other RUSLE factors are held constant.

  3. Which cover practice provides the most immediate and effective temporary erosion protection on a freshly graded slope?

    Answer: Installation of erosion control blankets (ECBs)

    Erosion control blankets provide immediate physical protection by absorbing raindrop energy and holding soil particles in place from the moment of installation.

  4. A site inspector observes clear water flowing through a silt fence while turbid water pools behind it. What does this indicate about the silt fence's performance?

    Answer: The silt fence is functioning correctly by filtering sediment from the runoff

    Clear water passing through while turbid water ponds behind indicates the silt fence fabric is trapping sediment particles as intended.

  5. Which soil texture is generally considered the most erodible under typical rainfall conditions?

    Answer: Silt loam

    Silt loam soils have high erodibility because silt particles are easily detached by raindrop impact and transported in suspension with minimal cohesion.

  6. A SWPPP calls for a concrete washout area to be located at least how far from storm drains, open ditches, and water bodies under typical EPA guidance?

    Answer: 50 feet

    EPA's Construction General Permit guidance and most state standards require concrete washout facilities to be located at least 50 feet from storm drains, ditches, and surface waters.

  7. During a dry-season inspection on a site with established temporary seeding, an inspector finds bare patches with rill formation. What is the MOST appropriate corrective action?

    Answer: Reseed the bare areas and apply erosion control blankets to protect them

    Reseeding and applying ECBs addresses both the immediate erosion risk and the underlying lack of vegetative cover causing the bare patches.