For runoff control, which method is used to divert water?

Check dams are structures used to slow the flow of water in channels and divert runoff to minimize erosion and reduce sediment transport. By creating a series of small barriers across a water flow path, check dams help to capture water, allowing it to infiltrate into the ground more gradually. This method is particularly effective in managing surface water runoff in construction sites or areas prone to erosion, as it can channel water away from critical areas and promote more stable soil.

In contrast, rolled erosion control products primarily function to stabilize soil surfaces, slotted drains are designed to collect and convey water rather than divert it, and permeable barriers facilitate the flow of water while preventing certain materials from passing through but do not actively divert water like check dams do. Each of these methods serves different roles in erosion and runoff management, making check dams the preferred choice for direct water diversion.