PURPOSE• To reduce slope lengthse T

PURPOSE

• To reduce slope lengths
e To break up concentration of runoff
«1 To move water to stable- outlets at a.
non-erosive velocity
• To divert water away from cut or fill slopes, steeply sloping land. con• struction sites, buildings and resi• dences, active gullies or other erodible areas. and low-lying areas, in order to prevent flooding
• To co;ivey silted runoff to a vege•
tated area to disperse flow and tilter silt

Diversion ditches apply only to overland runoff. Note that any diversion of a natural watercourse requires a permit from the Nowa Scotia Department of the Environment.

CONDITIONS WHERE APPUCABLE
• Where runoff from higher areas is, or has potential tor. damaging property, causing erosion. contributing to pollution, flooding, or interfering with the establishment of vegetation on lower areas
@ Where surface and/or shallow subsurface flow is damaging sloping upland
• Where the length and steepness of the slope need to be reduced in order to lower runoff velocity, thereby keeping soil loss to a minimum
• Where a diversion dyke is not adequate
Diversions are only applicable below stabilized or protected areas. Avoid establishing diversion ditches on slopes greater than 15 percent Diversions

should be used with caution on soils subject to slippage. Construction of diversions and outlets must be in compliance with provincial and munic• ipal drainage and water control laws.



ADVANTAGES

fl Induces infiltration of surface water and removes some sediment
$ An inexpensive alternative to terraces
• Reduces volume ot water requiring
silt removal

DISADVANTAGES

e Not feasible where access is difficult
• May require additional. surface disruption
fi May cause oft-site property damage and therefore may require the purchase of additional property