Epistemics in Science, Engineering and Technology, Vol. 1, No.3, 2011, 148-154 Lawal et al. 148 Erosion Control on Ahmadu Bello Way in Ilorin using Storm Drain Pipes. B. A Lawal 1 , E. O. Arokoyo 2 and S. O. Odeyemi 3 1 BAL Engineering Ltd., P.O. Box 6563, Ilorin, Nigeria. 2 bashirutundelawal@gmail.com, 2 banikedupe@yahoo.com 3 Department of Civil Engineering, Federal Polytechnic Offa, P.M.B 420, Offa, Nigeria 3 Corresponding e-mail:odeyemiso@yahoo.ca Abstract: Erosion control is the practice of preventing or controlling wind or water erosion in agriculture, land development and construction while Storm drain pipes are conveyances used for transporting runoff from the roadway and other inlets to outfalls at receiving waters. Erosion has been a major challenge in Nigeria which has led to the collapse of many road structures consequently leading to loses of many lives. A method of controlling erosion is presented in this paper using Ahmadu Bello Way, Ilorin, Nigeria, as a case study. The runoff from the various catchments was used to compute the discharge which was then used to analyze the required diameter of pipe to convey the runoff. From the analysis, it was discovered that the maximum diameter of storm drain pipe should be 900mm and the minimum should be 600mm. The storm drain pipes were found to be able to control the erosion problem on this road. Keywords: Storm drain pipes, erosion control, runoff, catchment, discharge. 1. Introduction: Erosion is a gravity driven process that moves solids (sediment, soil, rock and other particles) in the natural environment or their source and deposits them elsewhere. It usually occurs due to transport by wind, water, or ice; by down-slope creep of soil and other material under the force of gravity; or by living organisms, such as burrowing animals, in the case of bio-erosion (Erosion; Wikipedia, 2009). A certain amount of erosion is natural and, in fact, healthy for the ecosystem. For example, gravels continuously move downstream in watercourses. Excessive erosion, however, causes serious problems, such as receiving water sedimentation, ecosystem damage and outright loss of soil. Erosion is distinguished from weathering, which is the process of chemical or physical breakdown of the minerals in the rocks, although the two processes may occur concurrently. Erosion control is the practice of preventing or controlling wind or water erosion in agriculture, land development and construction. Effective erosion controls are important techniques in preventing water pollution and soil loss (Erosion control; Wikipedia, 2011). Erosion has had destructive impacts in and around many parts of Nigeria. The most common form of water erosion in Nigeria is gully erosion. Many communities and towns have been made inaccessible by gully erosion. Many buildings and infrastructures have also collapsed as a result. Figure 1. A highway in Nigeria washed away after a heavy downfall (www.kwenu.com, 2006) WebsJournals Epistemics in Science, Engineering Epistemics in Science, Engineering and Technology, Vol. 1, No. 3, 2011, 148-154 and Technology