Fall and winter projects in NorCal deal with rain more than any other time of year. If you’ve got projects scheduled during the rainy season, your job site is at risk of becoming a swamped up mess. Clogged drains, muddy cleanups, and the heightened safety risks are just a few of the ways that failing to manage your erosion control can come back to bite you.
Having the right erosion control products in Solano County, and knowing how to use them, is essential to getting your job done safely, correctly, and on schedule.
That’s where wattles and silt fences come in. These two simple tools are the backbone of erosion control on construction sites all over Solano, Marin, Sonoma, and beyond. When installed the right way, they keep your site compliant, protect nearby waterways, and save you from rework.
Let’s break down how to use them effectively:
Wattles (also called fiber rolls or straw wattles) are long, sausage-shaped tubes made from straw, coconut fiber, or other natural materials. They’re designed to slow down water so sediment has a chance to settle out instead of running offsite.
Wattles are best used:
Getting wattles in place isn’t complicated, but there’s a right way to do it:
Clean them out once sediment builds up to about a third of their height, and swap out any broken or soggy wattles before they fall apart.
They’re easy to install, easy to maintain, and one of the best erosion control products Solano County crews use day in and day out.
Silt fences are those black fabric fences you see around job sites. They’re designed to let water through while holding back the dirt. Simple, cheap, and effective, if installed correctly.
Use silt fences:
Check fences after every storm. If you see sagging, rips, or a big buildup of sediment (a third of the height or more), clean or replace it right away.
Done right, a silt fence can trap most of the sediment trying to escape your site, making it one of the best bangs for your buck in erosion control.
On most job sites, using both wattles and silt fences gives you the best protection. Here’s how:
This layered setup gives you extra insurance against runoff and it’s something inspectors like to see.
Even simple tools can fail if they’re installed wrong. Watch out for these slip-ups:
A few minutes of maintenance after a rainstorm can save hours of cleanup later.
At Stevenson Supply & Tractor Co., we’ve been helping contractors, project managers, and developers stay compliant for over a century. From wattles and silt fences to geotextiles and inlet protection, we carry the erosion control products Solano County crews depend on, delivered on time and ready to go.
Contact us online now, stop by our location, or give us a call at (707) 575-3335 to speak with one of our experts.
Our team knows construction, not just sales. We’ll help you choose the right setup for your site so you can stay focused on the work, not the paperwork.
President/CEO
Kent Stevenson is the owner and president of Stevenson Supply & Tractor Co., a family-owned equipment and supply company serving Sonoma County and the North Bay agricultural community since 1967. Under Kent’s leadership, the company has expanded from a small tractor dealership into a trusted regional provider of agricultural equipment, hardware, fencing, and repair services.
Kent is known for his deep agricultural knowledge, hands-on approach, and commitment to serving the local farming and vineyard community. His business philosophy blends old-fashioned service with modern efficiency, ensuring every customer—from homeowners to commercial growers—receives honest guidance and reliable equipment solutions.
Stevenson Supply continues to reflect the values Kent grew up with: hard work, integrity, and dedication to supporting the people who keep Sonoma County growing.
