There are a variety of stabilization techniques to address soil and sediment erosion in streams, lakes and ponds. Streambank stabilization is often required to prevent erosion and quickly establish bank-lining vegetation. Enviroscapes has utilized over 100 combinations of vegetative-based bio-engineering treatments and geotechnical treatments to provide effective and environmentally sound streambank stabilization. Having been involved with over 50 streambank restoration projects, Enviroscapes has extensive hands-on construction experience in streambank stabilization.
Strembank stabilization techniques have included live stakes and shrubs from one-gallon containers to ball & burlap (B&B;). We have planted trees ranging from live stakes to 3.5″ caliper, and herbaceous material in plugs, quarts and gallon containers. We have installed cool season grass mixtures and a variety of warm season grasses.
We have practiced bioengineering techniques including dormant cuttings of willows, shrub dogwoods and other plants that root easily. We have also installed bioengineering technology ranging from simple live stakes to complex structures such as fabricated lifts incorporating erosion control blankets, plants and compacted soil.
Enviroscapes has utilized revetments made of native wood and stone, to armor streambanks and to deflect water flow in order to substantially reduce erosion. Enviroscapes endeavors to use natural materials such as stone and logs in order to construct a variety of stabilization structures including cross vanes.
Streamside vegetation improves habitat on the land and in the stream by providing shade, cover and food. Several streambank stabilization structures, such as root wads, also work to enhance local fish habitat.
Enviroscapes has utilized the following streambank stabilization methods, individually or in combination:
- Woody plantings and variations (e.g., live stakes, brush layering, fascines, brush mattresses).
- Herbaceous cover including 2″ plugs, quarts and gallon sized container materials
- Coir logs, straw bales and straw logs used individually or in stacks to trap sediment and provide growth medium for riparian plants
- Bank reshaping and slope grading to increase roughness and cross-section, and provide more favorable planting surfaces
- Floodplain flow spreaders, consisting of one or more rows of trees and accumulated debris
- Riprap, core stone, concrete cable revetments and a variety of stone materials along severely eroded areas where bio-engineering techniques have proved ineffective
Enviroscapes significant experience in streambank restoration techniques allows our firm to evaluate designs and specifications prior to construction to ensure that the optimal stream stabilization technique is utilized, and as a result we save our clients from costly oversights.