What is a critical design feature of the rock ditch check?

The critical design feature of a rock ditch check is that the center of the check must be lower than the edges. This design encourages effective sediment retention and management of water flow. By keeping the center lower, the structure is able to create a small ponding effect, which allows sediments to settle out of the water as velocity decreases.

This design also helps to reduce flow velocity across the rock check by allowing stormwater runoff to flow over the edges more slowly. As the water slows down at the center, it improves the filtration process as water passes through the rocks, allowing for better sediment capture and reducing the risk of erosion downstream.

Uniformly sized rocks may help with stability but are not the primary functional aspect of the ditch check design. Anchoring with soil can be beneficial in certain applications but does not speak directly to the fundamental purpose of shaping the rock check itself.