RECLAMATION OF TIDE LANDS. 



385 



LU'/. 



Fig. 7. — Relative position of borrow pit, dredge, and levee. 



the toe of the levee. Where the ground is firm enough to use a trac- 

 tion machine this difficulty is overcome as the machine can be run on 

 the berm between 

 the toe of the levee 

 and the pit, as 

 shown in the an- 

 nexed cut (fig. 7). 

 When a sufficient 

 amount of material 

 has been placed in 

 the embankment to 

 secure the proper 

 width and cross sec- 

 tion it should be 

 dressed to a smooth 

 surface and planted 

 in some species of 

 grass that will form 

 a tough sod. South 

 of Virginia the Ber- 

 muda grass is the best for this purpose, while along the north coast 

 red top or herd's grass seems to be best suited. 



WAVE PROTECTION. 



Where a levee is exposed to high winds it should be protected from 

 wave wash when first put up until the sod is formed and the material 

 thoroughly settled. This can be done as follows: Plant a row of 6 

 by 6 posts along the berm about 3 feet from the toe of the levee and 

 bolt a stringpiece 4 by 8 to the front of these posts at about the 

 elevation of high tide. If the posts are more than 6 feet oui of 

 ground, another piece should be bolted on about 1 foot above the 

 ground. Drive a double row of sheet piling 2 by 6 or 2 by 8 on the 

 front side of this stringer, inclining about 1 foot horizontal to 6 feet 

 vertical toward the levee. The pieces should be driven so as to 

 break joints with each other and penetrate the ground 3 feet. The 

 planking should be further secured by placing a waling piece 2 by 6 

 or 2 by 8 on the front side opposite the stringer and securing it by 

 screw bolts passing through the waling strip, sheet piling, and string- 

 piece at intervals of 6 feet. At each post the barrier should be 

 braced by a strut of 3 by 8 secured at one end to the top of the 

 posts by means of screw bolts or spikes and extending back almost 

 horizontal to the surface of the levee, where it should be securely 

 spiked to a stake 2 by 6 driven firmly into the ground. A barrier 

 thus constructed breaks the action of the waves and at the same 



294b— 07- 



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