Responding to Landslides: How BC Engineering Group Restores Stability and Peace of Mind

How Engineers Restore Hillside Stability After Landslides

Landslides occur when soil and rock move downhill, often triggered by unstable or saturated ground conditions. They can cause significant damage to property and pose safety risks to communities. Common causes include winter storms, earthquakes, poor drainage, or improperly designed grading. In this blog, BC Engineering Group will highlight the main strategies used to rebuild and restore stability after a landslide has occurred, as well as proactive measures to help mitigate and reduce the risk of future events.

BC Engineering Group Can Help Every Step of the Way

At BC Engineering Group, we specialize in providing civil engineering solutions after a landslide has occurred. Our goal is to help assess the damage, stabilize the site, and restore long-term safety and function. Our team designs grading and drainage plans that incorporate topographic mapping and geotechnical specifications to develop site-specific landslide restoration plans and use them to submit for and obtain permits. Some of the engineered solutions typically found on a grading plan include:

Slope Stabilization

• Grading and compaction of existing slopes to reduce the steepness followed by re-compaction of unstable soils to eliminate looseness and improve stability.
• Grading is the process of reshaping the land to achieve a desired slope angle or elevation. A gentler slope is less likely to experience soil slippage.
• Compaction improves the internal strength of the soil by removing air pockets and voids for water.
• Keying and benching are widely used engineering methods for excavation and slope stabilization.
• Keying involves cutting a notch or “key” at the base of a slope or retaining wall to help anchor the structure and prevent sliding.
• Benching is the practice of excavating in a series of stepped levels (benches) on a slope to reduce soil pressure, improve stability, and provide safer access for construction.
• Soil nailing and anchoring, geo grids, and retaining walls to reinforce slopes.
• Soil nailing and anchoring involve drilling nails or anchors into the ground to reinforce the soil mass itself (nails) or retaining walls (anchors).
• Geogrids are strong, flexible polymer grids that reinforce soil by distributing loads and increasing shear strength. Geo grids are placed horizontally between layers of compacted soil.
• Retaining walls retain soil and resist further movement.
• If necessary, BC Engineering Group can assess whether a retaining wall is required and coordinate with a structural engineer to help design one for the project.

Surface and Subsurface Drainage

• Strict control of surface runoff is essential to ensure the long-term stability and effectiveness of any hillside repair. Proper drainage management prevents erosion, reduces soil saturation, and minimizes the risk of future slope failure.
• Culverts and swales are used for surface diversion and redirection of runoff away from slopes.
• Subdrain systems like interceptor drains or perforated pipe systems can lower groundwater levels and reduce water pressure.
• Drainage systems are frequently incorporated into other repair options including those listed above.

Vegetation and Erosion Control

• Erosion and sediment control measures are critical to protect a hillside during landslide remediation, prior to revegetation and stabilization. Some of the common erosion control methods used include hydroseeding and deep-rooted vegetation.
• Hydroseeding is a mix of grass or native plant seeds, mulch, fertilizer, water and sometimes tackifiers, that is sprayed out of a high-pressure hose to provide immediate soil coverage and rapid vegetation establishment. 
• Deep rooted vegetation uses deep rooted plant species, such as native grasses, shrubs, and trees to physically reinforce the soil with their roots, once established.

Mitigate the Risk of Landslides Before they Happen

Landslides can be stressful and dangerous, posing significant risks to property and safety. When developing on a piece of land, or wanting to be proactive at your home base, thoughtful site development can include grading plans and special foundation installation. At BC Engineering Group, strategic infrastructure placement for roads, utilities, and retaining walls are given as much importance as the design and construction, to ensure they are placed on stable slopes. BC Engineering Group specializes in designing efficient surface and subsurface drainage systems to help reduce groundwater pressure and provide erosion prevention. All these solutions help reduce the risk of a landslide before it happens.

Contact BC Engineering Group Today!

At BC Engineering Group, we understand the interaction between natural terrain and human activity, transforming that knowledge into practical engineered solutions that protect your property and ensure lasting slope stability. We provide comprehensive support—covering initial planning, expert plan production, permit processing, and construction coordination. Whether you’re developing new land or restoring safety after a landslide, we help your project stand on solid ground.

Contact BC Engineering Group today by reaching out online or giving us a call at 707.542.4321 to discuss how we can support your next project! You can also stay up to date with civil engineering and land planning topics by subscribing to our blog.​