Tips and Resources

The River-Friendly Landscaping program helps Truckee-area homeowners understand how soil erosion from their properties adversely affects the Truckee River watershed.

River-Friendly Landscaping improves water quality by assisting residential property owners in voluntarily reducing or preventing soil erosion. It covers older and established neighborhoods in the Truckee River watershed within the Town of Truckee, Placer County, Nevada County, and within other related counties in California. We provide free site evaluations, site plans and assistance for homeowners.

To join in the effort, simply call (530) 550-8760, ext. 3 and or sign up online.

Download a Cost Estimate Checklist & Materials Calculator

Download tipsheets for treatments to address common soil erosion problems on your property:

Bare Soil Treatments

Bare soil areas are hot spots for erosion, susceptible to wind and water erosion that carry loose soil off the property to sensitive streams and rivers.

• Infiltration Basin (BMP-008)
• Infiltration System (BMP-007)
• Infiltration System Components (BMP-006)
• Parking Barriers (BMP-026)
• Reseeding Disturbed Areas (NRCS)
• Turf Watering (NRCS)
• Vegetated Swale /Bioretention Basin
• Yard Fertility Management (NRCS)

Drip Line Treatments

Stormwater runoff from your rooftop can cause "drip line erosion." Roofs are impervious surfaces and stormwater that falls below the eaves can cause significant erosion and water damage to the foundation. Gravel drip line armor helps capture roof runoff, allowing it to soak back into the ground.

• Armored Drip Line (BMP-009)
• Drip Line Conveyance Trench (BMP-004)
• Drip Line Infiltration Trench (BMP-001)
• Roof Valley Drip Line Treatment (BMP-002)
• Subsurface Conveyance System (BMP-005)

Driveway Treatments

Driveways are large impervious areas that can concentrate polluted stormwater runoff, which can then leave the property and pollute local rivers and streams.

• Conveyance Infiltration Components (BMP-003)
• Driveway Conveyance Swale (BMP-022)
• Driveway Edge Armor (BMP-024)
• Driveway Infiltration Trench (BMP-023)
• Driveway Options
• Driveway Retrofit Guidelines
• Reverse Slotted Channel Drain (BMP-021)
• Slotted Channel Drain (BMP-020)

Treatments for Decks, Stairs and Walkways

Protecting bare soil under elevated structures like decks, stairs and walkways is important to armor the soil from wind and water erosion.

• Elevated Structures (BMP-010)
• Low Elevated Structures (BMP-011)

Slope Stabilization Treatments

Stabilizing slopes on your property is important to reduce erosion and keep your property attractive.

• Fabric Rock Slope Protection (BMP-041)
• Methods for Controlling Erosion on Steep Slopes
• Rock Slope Protection (BMP-040)
• Slope Stabilization (NRCS)
• Slope Stabilization Techniques (NRCS)
• Stacked Rock Wall (BMP-042)
• Terracing (NRCS)
• Timber Wall (BMP-043)
• Vegetative Slope Stabilization (NRCS)

Other Treatments and Information

• Filter Fabric Specifications
• Know Your Thistles
• Rain Garden Design Manual (August 2010)
• Runoff Infiltration Systems
• Small Ranch Manual for WQ Protection
• TRPA Plant List