Grasses for restoration

 I'm in the process of beginning a work of restoration on some land in E. Texas. The land has been ignored for years and it shows.  There are places where erosion has made rivulets in red clay.  Water runs off the property and some into a small pond.

I want to begin planting grasses that will cover the clay and begin slowing down the water runoff and erosion. I've already cut pine trees and placed them in obvious areas to begin the process.  I've also planted mayhaws and bald cypress trees as well as some gobbler oaks to begin adding leaves etc to cover the soil.

I would appreciate suggestions for grasses to begin the restoration. This area was part of a hilly prairie in the beginning. It's part of what was called the 'Big Thicket' that spread from SE Texas up the Sabine River and west for 75 miles or so.  It does have mixed oaks, pines and magnolias on part of the property.  I'd appreciate any ideas you have to help stop the erosion and begin the restoration.

I purchase grass seed from this source:  http://www.seedsource.com/

They have mixes for several different situations and different parts of the state.

I'm surprised Tyler didn't link to her threads about rock and brush dams. She's been reversing erosion and controlling runoff on her own Texas property.

Maybe your comment about pines means you've already seen this one https://permies.com/t/51421/Creek-repair-brush-dams



https://permies.com/t/53556/Creek-repair-rock-dams

I agree Casie. I got as far "I'm in the process of beginning a work of restoration on some land in E. Texas", and I was thinking, "oh this guy needs to here from Tyler Ludens, she lives in Texas and has done so much restoration work"...then I scroll down and see she posted (of course).

I have nothing to add simply because our climate is much cooler and also much wetter, but Tyler knows!! It is interesting how on forums you might never see someone, but you get a sense of who they are, their integrity and their ethics, and you just get a deep respect for them. I say this now in terms of Tyler Ludens specifically, but it applies to many on here. And certainly not to dismiss your work either Casie as I know you are from Texas as well.

Casie and Tyler can certainly advise you better, but I am wondering if you they might think sheep down the road would also help once the grass was established? If some nitrogen fixing grass types were added to the mix, sheep could graze those grasses and then return 85% of it back to where they grazed by pooing. Only after a good sward was established though.