Washout

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For other uses, see Washout (disambiguation).

A washout is the sudden erosion of soft surfaces by a gush of water usually occurring during a heavy downpour of rain or flooding.

[edit] Effect on road and rail transport

A washout occurred on the Riverside and Great Northern Railway in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, on June 11, 2004.
A washout occurred on the Riverside and Great Northern Railway in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, on June 11, 2004.

In road and rail transport, a washout is the result of a natural disaster where the roadbed is eroded away by flowing water, usually as the result of a flood. When a washout destroys a railroad's right-of-way, the track is sometimes left suspended in midair across the newly formed gap, or it dips down into a ditch. the phenomenon is discussed in more detail under erosion.