| SIC Codes: | 8711 |
| NAICS Codes: | 541330 |
Erosion control engineering, a subset of the engineering services industry, includes companies involved in the planning, design, and inspection of erosion control projects. Major engineering service providers and environmental consulting firms that offer erosion control engineering include The Shaw Group, Tetra Tech, and Weston Solutions.
Demand is driven by construction activity, especially that related to highways. Special circumstances, such as disasters that cause deforestation or flooding, may also affect demand. Profitability depends on the ability to accurately predict costs for a project. Small firms can effectively compete with larger ones by having expertise in a particular field. Large firms generally can more efficiently deploy staff for major projects.
The industry provides engineering services to prevent or remedy soil erosion caused by wind, water, gravity, and other factors. Erosion problems may be created or exacerbated by developments that alter or remove natural elements such as ground cover. Industrial agriculture, timber cultivation, transportation infrastructure, and urban development all have the potential to accelerate erosion. Erosion control engineers may recommend or design either "hard" or "soft" solutions. Hard solutions include man-made structures such as retaining walls, and soft solutions promote re-growth of natural vegetation to keep soil in place.