Back to L Session Agenda

Effective Green BMPs for Streambank Restorations

Lanka Santha, PE
Udare Santha
RoLanka International Inc.
Stockbridge, GA

The objective of this presentation is to present several innovative technologies for streambank restoration, soil erosion control and sediment control which are in-line with the national trends for greener solutions. With the ever increasing construction activities around streambanks, there is a great need for cost effective, efficient, and greener BMPs for streambank restorations.

For years, different types of fiber logs were used for streambank restorations. One of the major shortcomings of these is the inability to drive stakes through them for effective installation and the inability to install live plant cuttings through them. This presentation discusses circular and rectangular shaped coir logs with invisible holes in two directions. These holes are very effective in planting live plant cuttings through the fiber logs and driving anchors through the logs for strong installation. This feature of invisible holes in rectangular and circular coir logs makes streambank restorations more effective and eliminates many installation difficulties. Once live plant cuttings planted through the logs are rooted, they will provide additional anchoring to the installed system.

The fiber block system with coir fabric wrapped coir block is a popular streambank restoration technique. Until now this system did not have the capability to install live plant cuttings through its fiber block. This presentation shows how invisible holes are installed in the fiber block and how to install live plant cuttings through these holes. Once these plant cuttings are rooted, the system will have added stability.   

Another innovative erosion and sediment control technique/device that will be discussed in this presentation is the all-natural rectangular shaped coir (coconut fiber) check dam/slope interrupter/inlet protection device. The presentation describes the advantages of this rectangular shaped sediment control device. Advantages include, but are not limited to, low cost, easy handling, effective sediment trapping and environment friendliness. The presentation also shares its recent NTPEP test results.

placeholder_photo.JPG

About Lanka Santha, PE

Coming Soon