B – Berms



Berms are diversion structures to keep pollutants contained or stormwater speed bumps that stop water from rushing too fast and carrying pollution away.

C – Check Dams

Tiny rock wall, wattles, and synthetic structure built across ditches that slow water down and catch dirt before it travels downstream.

D – Detention Ponds



A stormwater management structure designed to temporarily hold excess stormwater runoff in a pond.

E – Erosion Control Blankets



Blankets made of straw, coconut or other fiber that cover the ground and stop soil from washing away.

F – Filter Bags



Bags made of non-woven fabric used to filter dirty water during dewatering practices.

G – Gravel Filter Socks



Bags filled with rocks that slow stormwater and catch dirt at construction sites.

H – Hydromulch

Water applied mulch that is mixed with seed to create an erosion control blanket and reestablish a site with vegetation.

I – Inlet Protection

Barriers around drains that stop dirt and trash from getting into underground pipes.

J – Jute Matting

Natural mats made of plants that hold soil in place until grass can grow.

K – Kiddie Pools for Secondary Containment

Small pools or containment devices that catch drips and spills from equipment or materials on a project.

L – Level Spreaders



Flat areas that gently spread out stormwater so it doesn’t wash away the ground.

M – Maintenance

All BMPs require maintenance to continue to remove pollutants over time.

N – Native Plants

Plants from the local area that have deep roots to hold soil and clean water that go into

rain gardens.

O – Oil Spill Kits

Emergency kits full of tools to clean up spills before they reach rivers or lakes.

P – Permeable Hard Surfaces



Special roads and sidewalks that let rain soak through instead of running off.

Q – Quick Grass Seeding

Planting grass really fast to cover bare dirt and stop mud from moving.

R – Rain Gardens

Beautiful gardens built to soak up rainwater and filter out pollution.

S – Silt Fence

A strong fabric fence that keeps muddy water from flowing off construction sites.

T – Turf Reinforcement Mats

Mats that protect grass and soil in places where

water moves fast.

U – Underground Vaults

Large structures under parking lots and structures that store and treat stormwater before it goes to our waters!

V – Vegetative Strip

Strips of grass, trees, and plants that catch pollution before it reaches water.

W – Wattles

Long, straw-filled tubes that stop water from washing away soil on hillsides.

X – eXcelsior

Aspen shaving fibers used in erosion control

blankets or wattles!

Y – You

As you learn more about stormwater and control measures, you become a BMP and a communicator and leader for stormwater management.

Z – Zeolite

A mineral used in spill clean up and fabrics to sorb pollution.