During excavation, what is essential to prevent soil erosion?

Implementing erosion control measures is vital during excavation to prevent soil erosion because these measures are specifically designed to stabilize the soil and minimize the impact of rainfall and runoff. Erosion control can involve several techniques such as silt fences, erosion control blankets, or sediment basins that capture sediment-laden water before it leaves the site.

These strategies help to maintain the integrity of the soil structure, prevent the loss of valuable topsoil, and protect water quality by reducing the amount of sediment that may enter waterways. Without such measures, disturbed soils are highly vulnerable to erosion, which can lead to increased sedimentation in local water bodies and contribute to environmental degradation.

The other choices do not effectively address the problem of erosion in the same dedicated manner. Heavy machinery may disturb soil further, watering the site can help keep dust down but may not effectively prevent erosion, and using smaller shovels is not a practical solution for managing large soil areas during excavation.