How is a sediment trap different from a sediment basin?

A sediment trap is specifically designed to capture and settle sediment from smaller areas, typically less than 3 acres, making this characteristic central to its function. These structures are often employed in construction sites or smaller disturbed areas to prevent sediment transport off-site, providing effective sediment control in areas with limited scope.

In contrast, sediment basins are larger in scale, constructed to manage runoff from more extensive land areas and often have additional capacity for retention, promoting better sediment settling processes over larger volumes of water. They are designed to serve more permanent functions than traps, which may only be temporary measures.

Overall, the distinction in size and area served is the primary reason why identifying the size limitation of sediment traps is essential to understanding their operational parameters within stormwater management practices.