Silt fence is a temporary sediment control barrier commonly used on construction and land-disturbance sites to protect nearby waterways—streams, rivers, lakes—from sediment-laden runoff.  Made from porous geotextile fabric stretched between stakes (wood or metal), the fence is typically trenched into the soil along contour lines to promote ponding upstream. As stormwater collects, it slows, allowing silt and fine particles to settle out before the water seeps through or overtops the barrier. When correctly installed and maintained—burying the bottom edge, securing fabric tightly, reinforcing in high-flow areas—it can trap over 90% of sediment and help projects meet environmental regulations