The slope is the third factor that can influence site selection and use. The slope is the change in elevation between two points. In some parts of the world, slope is discussed in degrees angles. In others, we discuss the percent change in elevation per 100 ft of run. I will discuss it in % change.
The slope is crucial to read on a site due to the effect of surface runoff water during an energy event. Site factors are as follows.
Slope Factor | Slope | Runoff |
0-1% | Nearly level | Very slow to slow |
1-3% | Gently sloping | Moderate |
3-5% | Moderately sloping | Moderate |
5-8% | Strongly sloping | Rapid |
8-12% | Steep | Rapid |
>12% | Very steep | Rapid |
Anything over 8% greatly inhibits cropping use. Development costs more due to engineering limitations. You may get a great view, but you also may get washed off the hillside or burned up when a fire runs. As Charlie Munger has mentioned from his early career in real estate development, there are two things he learned not to trust in that business, an engineer and a hillside.
Again, location, location, location comes to mind. There are lots that you just need to leave alone and never build on. Some properties will have 2-3 great development sites. Other locations need to be left to the timber. The best building locations and cropping spots will have slopes of less than 5%. You must evaluate each one and project future rainfall events, runoffs, and the effects of building redirecting water to other locations. Practice stepping off 100' and eyeballing the drop. Categorize the area in your mind into the factors above.
You don't want your hard-earned investment of resources to be a temporary event. Use Google Earth and evaluate macro topography that can wipe your home and gardens. Drone video or plane fly it. You don't want an archeologist of the future to find and spend thousands to try and figure out what event happened to you and your home. It is a greater investment for them to be able to use your home and location for habitation.
Use all factors to make sound judgments and enjoy the soil, sun, wind, and rain! Use the factors for decision-making so you won't cuss them when Mother Nature throws chaos into your living room.
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