Soil erosion is a destructive process that can render land unproductive and costly to maintain for agricultural production. The most notorious agents of erosion are surface run-off water and wind. They sweep off loose particles of the top soil and expose the inner layers to further erosion. Notably, the effects of these erosive agents are more pronounced in cases where you have gently sloping land. The force of gravity accelerates the rate of erosion by speeding up the flow of water and wind, worsening their erosive effects.  This is why you should put up a retaining wall to help you keep the erosion in check. Here are the most important things you need to know about a retaining wall:  

Local Authority Regulations

Before you build your retaining wall, check with the local authorities in your area before you even draw up a plan for the project. A retaining wall can have a big impact on the immediate environment near the land. For instance, it can interfere with the normal flow of run-off water into a nearby river, therefore reducing the volume of water in that river. For this reason, local governments can restrict the construction of a retaining wall if it is bound to have a detrimental effect on the ecosystem and those who depend on it. Make sure that you tow the line to avoid unnecessary fines.

Good Foundation

The secret to having a retaining wall that will last for many years is to ensure that it has a strong foundation. When building, make sure that you have one inch of the wall beneath the ground compensating for every eight inches of retaining wall above the soil. This means that you should decide on the height of the wall before starting the project. You can then calculate how deep you will have to go with the foundation to counterbalance what you have above the ground. Add a few inches to the height you have calculated when digging the foundation. These extra inches will be used when bedding sand and gravel for optimal support of the retaining wall.

Materials

You should also be keen on the type of material that you choose for the wall itself. For optimal results, go for blocks with uniform size and tensile strength. They will stand up better to strong waves of wind and water. To add on that, stagger all the joints between the blocks for maximum strength and support.