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How to Deal With Hill Slides

Hill slides represent a serious threat to the life and property of anyone living in hilly terrain. A hill slide occurs when a mass of rock or earth moves down a slope. Heavy rain, earthquakes and ill-conceived construction projects can all potentially trigger one of these events. Dealing with these natural disasters begins with a determination of the threat level for a particular area. High-risk areas will require more precautions be taken to reduce the potential for hill slides.

Instructions

- 1
  Identify slopes that present a high risk of slumping or sliding. A civil or geotechnical engineer can survey a slope and calculate the risk of a dangerous slide. In regions that experience frequent slides, local and state officials often prepare maps that highlight areas of greatest risk.
- 2
  Plant hearty, native vegetation on bare slopes. Choose mature plants and grasses rather than seeds, because a rain storm can wash seedlings away. Plant several species in a visually pleasing pattern -- there's no reason the slope can't be pleasant to look at.
- 3
  Modify the grade of the slope. This modification can be achieved in one of two ways. A terraced pattern can slow the downward movement of water and provide level planting areas. The grade of the slope can also be reduced, but that option is more labor-intensive and expensive.
- 4
  Construct a drainage trench near the top of the slope to divert water off to the sides. Dig a shallow trench and lay porous plastic piping along the length of it. Fill the trench with sand or gravel.
- 5
  Build a retaining wall near the bottom of the slope. Steel pylons or concrete blocks can provide support to the bottom of a hill, lessening the chances of sliding. Pipes driven horizontally into the bottom of the slope can drain away groundwater and stabilize the soil.

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