What is biotechnical erosion control and stream bank stabilization?
Biotechnical erosion control and stream bank stabilization projects use live native vegetation, or a combination of vegetative and structural materials (a hybrid solution), to protect stream banks and reduce the input of fine sediment to the watercourse in three ways: (1) the physical presence of the vegetation cover adds roughness to the bank, reducing near-bank flow velocities and decreasing erosion by fluvial entrainment; (2) the structural strength of the vegetation root wad acts to bind the bank materials together to safeguard against bank failure; and (3) the water uptake of the plant during growth acts to drain the bank and reduce the occurrence of bank saturation, reducing vulnerability to failure. Successful biotechnical methods become more effective as the vegetation grows and establishes a permanent vegetative cover which can shade the stream and provide habitat for birds and other species. Installation of boulders and rootwads or other structures can provide bank protection
