Another Spillway/Vegetation Question

I relocated my spillway on an existing pond. I am planning on laying Bermuda sod to establish quick vegetation to help control erosion on the inlet and spillway during our upcoming fall wet season. My question: Is it better to lay the sod horizontal or vertical with the water flow? Second question: What to seed the rest of the banks with? (I am in Oklahoma in August so its hot & dry currently)
Thanks

I am not a pro but I would lay the sod horizontal(perpendicular) to the water flow. Vertical will create tiny ditches between the strips that could erode. Hope you're planning to water the sod!

Clover is a great way to add beauty on your pond. Warner Brothers seed company in Lawton could be of great help, they have blends all ready for different areas depending on soil type and rainfall. Heres their website http://www.wbseedco.com/

I agree with the clover, ask your local seed and feed store and see which of the white clovers grows best in your area. I will water mine in Aug and maybe Sept if we are in a drought. You have the water to do it from the pond. Clover will also bring in the deer if u like that kind of stuff, which I do. And you can water the seed now or wait till mid Sept to seed before the fall rains.

Tracy

I think that taller grasses are typically better for a spillway since they will lay down under flow and protect the soil.

http://www.vwrrc.vt.edu/swc/NonPBMPSpecs...Rev30Jun09.html

RAH has a great point about using taller grasses for the spillway, when it overflows they will lay down. Use the clover (many species and varieties to choose from) for transitioning to the main section of the dam. Soil stability is what we are after and these are great plants to use in combination.

A combination of bermuda grass and tall fescue is growing on my spillway.

Taller grasses also tend to have deeper, denser root systems which is ideal for erosion prevention. Prairie grasses would be ideal for this, and backsides of dams to out-compete less desirable plants.

Look at a amur silver grass but also consider its invasiveness.