Stream Bank Stabilization in North Carolina

It would really help to know what type of soil you have; sand, clay, mix of sand and clay, rocky etc. Pictures would help.

I have notice that around here they use chicken wire to retain small stone on the bank walls. They stair step it up maybe 1 to 1 1/2 ft a step. After a few years it silts in and grasses start to grow. The combination works well haven't seen any washed out. They have done this in a lot of the streams on the outer wall of sharp bends to keep the water from under cutting the banks.

http://www.ctre.iastate.edu/erosion/manuals/streambank/how_to_control.pdf

This mite help

you

hello, thank you for all the prompt responses------- the soil is sandy and loamy also i should have mentioned we live below a dam and the waters do rise and fall when the gates at the powerhouse are opened- this pic was water receding the top pic you can see river under deck- you may also see a tree trunk under the deck we had to cut trees down as he deck was built around the trees- the other question is should i have the trunks cut out as they are sliding down the bank now due to the erosion the roots are still in the river bank- i thought the less weight on the bank would help? again thx

I think you have quite a serious problem and, regardless of the cost, call in a good civil engineer. I would not be at all surprized to find that they recomend moving the house away from the stream by at least 30 feet. I don't know what kind of dam you are living downstream of but there have been a number of catastrophic dam failures in recent years. This a serious life and limb issue.

yes- we have already moved the cabin 30 ft up- it is a earthen dam that is being bermed

Ahh that river....what a great & gorgeous resource for everyone....IMHO respect the river & don't try & turn the banks into some kind of gawdawful fortress...you can't beat the river ya know...

If you try something drastic & appear to be laying waste, I'm sure your gonna get a notice or 2 from environmental agencies...

If you want to try something, maybe invest in just dredging, pulling / laying some very large boulders along your banks...whatever you do though will at some point be altered...remember it's the Linville RIVER...not just a creek mind you..water has it's ways in dealing with anything.

For those around this world that may not be familiar with this area...God gave us something special - just try a look-up on the innerwebs for the Linville River & especially the Linville River Gorge...

OR hit this first http://www.ncwaterfalls.com/lin1.htm

Hmm, I am surprised that your building department and/or planning department would let you mess with Waters of the US without some authorization from USACE. I know a guy who built a small earthen dam out here to retain some winter run off from what at best could be described as an ephermal stream. The state found out, and because natural streams are Waters of the US unless USACE declares them not to be, he was fined a huge chunk of change (much more than the original project cost), had to tear the dam down and re-establishh the natural habitat and drainage, then go through the planning and building departments processes, including CEQA, to obtain a permit (and pay all those fees) if he wanted the Dam. He decided that last stage wasn't worth the investment at that point, already spent too much for a small dam for water for a few cows he raised.

hey- thx for your post- but we DID NOT build a dam- we live BELOW a dam and the waters rise and fall due the the gates being opened to let water from the lake for our local (NC)power company. i posted about the dam so that i could get responses in helping the bank situation due to the rise in water on the property- again thx

My example wasn't really about the dam, but rather the consequences for disrupting waters of the US. He also was fined by Water Quality Control for not having a SWPP and sediment loads into the drainage that discharges into a state-listed impaired waterway. the dam was a minor structure and would not be of much consideration, the impacts to the water way was where he got into trouble. Now if it is a man-made waterway or lake that is a different issue. There is also the habitat issues that can get you into trouble if you disturb the waterway and impair it with sediments (and US Fish & Wildlife is pretty inflexible). However, this is all resolved if you just talk to your loal building department and water quality control agency, ask them for all the required permits, obtain the permits, fulfill the requirements, and pay the permitting fees. Oh, if some agent of one of these agencies tells you that you do or do not need certain permits document their name and position and what they said for later (then the agency is responsible and you are covered).

Every state has an association of Soil and Water conservation districts designed to help with erosion issues on private lands. These mostly focus on agricultural applications but many do have programs for urban and non-agricultural areas. Streambank erosion is generally a high priority goal as many environmental issues are aligned with water ecosystems.

For information on how to connect with a Soil and Water Conservation District in your area contact the National Assoication of Conservation Districts (NACD). They have a web site that can give you contact information for your area. http://www.nacdnet.org/

Jim Vancura,

Agricultural Advisor,

Kirkuk, Iraq

LRP, that sure is a beautiful spot! It's quite a predicament, too. From the looks, i would go with a natural soil stabilizer, a plant with deep roots that will hold the bank as well as anything artificial. I can't make a suggestion as to which specific plant, as they are very different from my area, but take a look around and see what looks like it holds the bank well in your area. Also, allow as little bare or unplanted ground as possible, as this is where you'll get the erosion starting. Thi includes the area under the deck, where you'll want a strong-rooted plant that grows well with little sun.

This method has several advantages. First, it's relatively cheap, as you can do it yourself and you may even find a source or location to dig them up for free and tranplant them to the right location. Second, you will have far less potential for trouble with any type of authorities, and third, it will fit right in with the beauty of the area you are they to enjoy.

linvillriverpoppy,

"If your lucky enough to live on the river your lucky enough" (quote from my wife's plaque on the wall). You have a beautiful place.

My experience living on the Choctawhatchee River in Florida is similar to yours without having a structure endangered by a less than catastrophic rise in the river.

From that I would offer the following comments (most of which I'm sure you've considered).

• CUTiger makes a good point. The river eventually takes all things.
• Any changes you make to the river bank will result in some change down stream. If I could accurately predict the outcome of my actions to retard erosion I wouldn't still be turning pipe wrenches for a living.
• What ever the river takes it has to leave someplace. Can you take advantage of depositional characteristics of the river?
• Have you considered the effects of up bank erosion due to rainfall runoff at and above the river bank itself. I have constructed small unobtrusive terraces of sod which have worked well for me?
• I try never to remove anything with roots from the bank. Fallen or washed up logs many times provide energy dissipation and quiescent areas for entrained soil to settle, more habitat for rooted plants.
• As pointed out several agencies have jurisdiction for our actions as waterfront owners. Be careful. Some however actually have the mission statement and resources to help.

Good luck..........enjoy the river.