Round Mountain Red - Riprap
Rip Rap
These are large boulders that are angular and heavy used primarily for rock slope protection (RSP). We have a large variety of sizes going all the way up to 2-ton boulders and beyond. In general, this rock is sized for specific projects as follows: 12 inch, 12-24inch and 24-48 inch. Also used for decorative landscaping boulders.
What is Riprap?
Riprap describes a range of rocky material placed along shorelines, bridge foundations, steep slopes, and other shoreline structures to protect from scour and erosion. Rocks used range from 4 inches to over 2 feet. The size of the rock needed on a project depends on the steepness of the slope and how fast water is moving. Riprap is a very durable, natural-looking treatment. One drawback is the potential for the rocky material to not be easily traversable by animals; filling the open spaces between the rocks with soil or smaller rocks helps to address this issue.
Where is it used?
Riprap is used where a structure or shoreline is continuously exposed to rushing water:
Along a lake shoreline to limit erosion associated with wave action.
Along the outer bank of a river bend, dissipating the force of the water against the bank.
Near bridges along embankments and adjacent to supports in waterways.
Erosion can compromise bridges, wash out adjacent roadways, or cause loss of property; preventing erosion helps to keep the public safe. At first glance, riprap may seem like a simple science for mitigating the power of water, but it requires a lot of evaluation from engineers. Cost comes into the conversation early because rock can’t always be found locally, and transporting a large quantity of rock isn’t cheap, and neither is the rock itself. Determining the effective size and amount of rock can limit the cost associated with the solution.
