Sandbags for Erosion Control

Engineered Solutions for Stormwater, Sediment, and Slope Protection

On today’s construction sites, erosion control isn’t just good practice — it’s the law. Under the EPA Clean Water Act, projects disturbing more than one acre of soil must follow a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) with site-specific Best Management Practices (BMPs) to prevent sediment-laden runoff from reaching storm drains, waterways, or wetlands.

Among all BMP tools, few are as versatile or effective as the gravel-filled sandbag. Unlike straw wattles or silt fence, gravel bags are heavy, conformable, and reusable — built to stay put even in high flow. They can’t be undercut, they don’t blow over, and they naturally seal against any surface without trenching.

How Gravel Bags Work in SWPPP BMPs

Gravel-filled sandbags create permeable barriers that slow, pond, and filter stormwater. They’re ideal for check dams, inlet protection, perimeter control, and slope interruption. By slowing flow velocity, they allow suspended sediment to settle before the water continues downstream. When placed in sequence, multiple check dams can dramatically reduce Total Suspended Solids (TSS) discharge.

DuraBag® — The Gold Standard in Erosion Control Sandbags

The DuraBag® is America’s toughest erosion control sandbag — designed for long-term, high-duty use in construction, municipal, and DOT stormwater projects. With a Mullen burst strength of 380 PSI and 5-year UV resistance, this bag is built to withstand truck and equipment run-overs, extreme temperatures, and prolonged sunlight. EPA and DOT approved, the DuraBag has become a staple for contractors and agencies nationwide.

• Manufactured in the USA from premium polyethylene mesh fabric
• Air and water permeable — ideal for gravel-filled BMP applications
• Non-biodegradable for multi-season or permanent erosion control
• Resists tearing, bursting, and UV degradation for up to 5 years
• Available empty or pre-filled (palletized with clean ½" washed gravel)
• Supplied with steel ties for secure closure and positioning
• Available in 10 contractor colors for jobsite identification and DOT specification matching

Geotextile Gravel Bags — For Specified BMP Projects

When project specs call for geotextile-based BMPs, our Geotextile Sandbags deliver. Offered in both 4 oz (Economy) and 8 oz (Heavy Duty) nonwoven fabrics, these bags provide the filtration and strength required by SWPPP plans and public agency specifications. Each bag is water-permeable yet strong enough for vehicular traffic and long-term deployment. Available empty or filled with clean gravel.

The Big Hoss® — Rapid Erosion Berm Construction

For large-scale slope protection, post-wildfire stabilization, or flood-channel berming, the new Big Hoss® Bulk Bag changes the game. Constructed from the same 5-year UV-rated DuraBag fabric, the Big Hoss uses a simple open-top design to build 3-foot-tall erosion berms in minutes with heavy equipment like skid steers, forklifts, or telehandlers.

Ideal for post-fire mudslide prevention, slope stabilization, and rapid response work, Big Hoss berms provide durable sediment barriers that remain in place until vegetation re-establishes.

Add a Sandbag Filling Machine to Your SWPPP Toolkit

For contractors producing bags at scale — whether for check dams, inlet protection, or perimeter berms — adding a sandbag filling machine can slash labor hours, control unit cost, and keep you productive when storms are inbound. Choose the system that matches your production pace, crew size, and jobsite logistics.