Dirtwork term
Slope Ratio
also called: grade, rise over run
How steep a slope is, expressed as horizontal:vertical (e.g. 3:1 means 3 ft over for every 1 ft up).
Slope ratio describes steepness as the horizontal distance per unit of vertical change. A 3:1 slope rises 1 foot for every 3 feet of horizontal run, a relatively gentle slope you can mow without much trouble. A 2:1 slope rises 1 foot for every 2 feet of run, steep enough that vegetation struggles and erosion is a concern. A 1:1 slope is at 45 degrees and is generally the steepest you can stably build in unconfined soil.
Slope ratio drives a lot of dirtwork decisions: what compaction equipment can safely operate, whether erosion blanket or riprap is needed, whether a retaining wall is required instead of an open slope, how a pond or basin bank should be built for long-term stability.
For East Texas clay sites, 3:1 is the conservative working slope for most exposed surfaces, 2:1 is acceptable with erosion control, anything steeper usually calls for engineered solutions.
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Slope Ratio comes up on excavation jobs all over East Texas.
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When slope ratio comes up on a job
Slope ratio becomes the deciding number whenever a bank, a pond dam, or a cut has to hold its shape. The angle is the line between grass that stays put and a face that sloughs into the ditch every wet season.
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Related terms
Other words that come up alongside this one
Erosion Blanket
Biodegradable mat pinned to a slope to hold seed, soil, and moisture in place while vegetation establishes.
Riprap
Loose stone placed on a slope or shoreline to absorb wave or storm energy and prevent erosion.
Retention Pond
Excavated pond that holds water permanently, with storage capacity above the normal pool for storm events.
Cut and Fill
Moving dirt from high areas (cut) to low areas (fill) to reach a planned grade, balanced so net hauling is minimized.
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