Rip Rap

Rip rap is a heavy-duty crushed stone engineered for erosion control, slope stabilization, and water management. Commonly installed along shorelines, drainage channels, retaining wall bases, culverts, and steep grades, rip rap absorbs energy from moving water, prevents soil loss, and provides a permanent solution for challenging terrain. Earth Stone Rock supplies bulk rip rap in multiple sizes graded for residential, commercial, and civil projects, available for yard pickup or delivery anywhere in the United States. Browse our selection of rip rap below to find the right size for your project.

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Length (ft)

Width (ft)

Depth (in)

Area —

Cubic Yards —

Approx. Tons —

* ~1.6 tons per cubic yard.

Engineered grades for shore and slope work Multiple class sizes in stock Truckload delivery available

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Need sizing help? Rip rap is sold by class. The buying guide explains which class works for each application.

Applications Sizing Guide

Common Uses for Rip Rap

From stream banks to storm drain outlets — engineered erosion control where heavy water meets bare soil.

Shoreline & Stream Bank Protection

Rip rap is the standard armor for lake, river, and pond banks where water current and wave action would erode bare soil. Heavy angular rock interlocks and dissipates wave energy. Size matters — bigger banks and faster water need bigger rock.

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Drainage Channels & Culverts

Lined with rip rap at the inlet and outlet, drainage channels and culverts shed water without scouring the soil underneath. Common for storm drain outfalls, ditch terminations, and seasonal washes.

Shop Rip Rap Channel Sizing

Slope Stabilization

Steep cut-and-fill slopes that lose soil to rain and runoff stabilize with a layer of rip rap over geotextile fabric. Common on highway shoulders, residential cuts behind retaining walls, and rural driveway banks.

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Driveway & Road Shoulder Armor

Rip rap protects unpaved shoulders and the toe of fill slopes from washing out in heavy rain. A 12" thick layer typically holds even on aggressive grades when properly installed over fabric.

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Dry Detention Basins & Spillways

Detention basin floors, emergency spillways, and check dam structures all use rip rap to handle peak-flow events without scouring. Sizing follows engineered specs — Class II, III, or IV depending on the design flow.

Shop Rip Rap Engineered Specs

Construction Site Erosion Control

Construction entrances, sediment basin outlets, and stockpile aprons rely on rip rap to keep dirt out of storm drains during the build. Often the same rock can be repurposed for permanent slope cover after the project closes.

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Rip Rap Buying Guide

Engineered erosion control. Pick the right class, install it correctly, and the work lasts decades.

Rip rap is angular quarried stone engineered to hold soil against moving water — shorelines, stream banks, drainage channels, slope toes, and storm drain outlets. Class I through IV cover everything from residential drainage to engineered shoreline armoring.

Browse the full rip rap collection for what's in stock. Need help sizing? The table below pairs each class with its typical application, and the tips cover the installation details that determine whether the work holds.

Quick Links

Shop All Rip Rap Boulders River Rock Base & Fabric

Rip Rap Classes vs Applications

Material	Best For	Compaction	Drainage	Cost
Class I (4"–8")	Small drainage channels, light slopes, decorative erosion control	Locks angular	Excellent	$$
Class II (8"–12")	Storm drain outlets, moderate slopes, driveway shoulders	Locks angular	Excellent	$$
Class III (12"–24")	Stream banks, detention basin floors, fill slope toes	Locks angular	Excellent	$$$
Class IV (24"+)	Major shoreline protection, high-flow spillways, engineered armoring	Placed individually	Excellent	$$$$

Always install over non-woven geotextile fabric to prevent soil migration. Engineered installations should follow project-specific specs.

What Civil Contractors Know

Always install over geotextile fabric. Non-woven fabric between soil and rip rap keeps fines from washing up through the rock. Skipping the fabric is the most common reason rip rap installations fail.
Match the class to the design flow. Bigger water needs bigger rock. Class I is for residential drainage; Class III and IV are for engineered shoreline and channel work. Sizing too small means rock moves in storms.
Install 1.5x the class diameter as depth. Rule of thumb: a Class II (8"–12") installation wants 12"–18" of compacted depth. Thinner layers shift in the first major flow event.
Key the toe in below grade. The bottom row of rip rap should sit below the channel or bank surface so it can't be undercut by scour. Excavate a key trench at the toe before placing.
Place largest stones at the bottom. Build the slope up with the biggest rock at the toe and smaller pieces above. Reverses how gravity wants to do it; lasts longer.
Plan for equipment access. Class III and IV rip rap need a skid steer or excavator to place. Call ahead with your site access — gate widths, grades, drop heights — and we can help with logistics.

Need Help?

(800) 215-7372

FAQ

What classes of rip rap do you carry?

Class I through Class IV: from 4" to 24" and larger. Each class is engineered for a specific flow and slope range. Browse the full rip rap collection to see what's currently in stock and call (800) 215-7372 if you need a class not listed.

How much rip rap do I need?

Use the coverage calculator above. Depth follows the class — typically 1.5x the maximum stone diameter. Rip rap weighs about 1.6 tons per cubic yard (heavier than river rock because it's angular and packs tighter).

Do I need geotextile fabric?

Yes. Non-woven geotextile fabric under the rip rap stops soil migration up into the stone and dramatically extends the life of the installation. We stock contractor-grade fabric — see base materials.

What's the difference between rip rap and river rock?

Rip rap is angular — quarried and crushed to interlock when stacked. River rock is rounded — naturally smoothed by water. Rip rap holds slopes and resists flow; river rock looks better but rolls under pressure. Both have their place; never substitute one for the other in a structural application.

Can I install rip rap myself?

Class I and small Class II projects (driveway shoulders, small swales) are DIY-friendly with a wheelbarrow and rake. Class III and IV need a skid steer or excavator. For engineered installations (shoreline, detention basins, regulated channels), check whether your jurisdiction requires a licensed contractor. We can help connect you with installers in California.

Engineering Your Erosion Control

Class I through IV in stock. Truckload delivery for site work. Sizing consultation available — send dimensions and your design flow and we'll suggest the right class.

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