Methods & Costs of Streambank 

 Alteration & Stabilization 



Tlie cost of bank stabilization measures varies. You can use this chart to 

 compare costs, advantages, and disadvantages of different strategies. 



Stabilization Measure 



Advantages 



Disadvantages 



Costs * 



Management Changes 



Implement grazing and agricultural 

 practices that allow vegetation to 

 recover. 



Easiest to implement; natural 

 recovery: diverse 

 opportunities. 



Results take time. 



Low to moderate. 

 Long-term increase 

 in productivity may 



offset initial costs. 



Revegetation 



Plant native shrubs: reintroduce 

 native grasses and sedges. 



Can be accomplished with 

 hand labor: recovery of 

 streamside habitat. 



Labor/cost intensive; results 

 take time; need riparian 

 expertise; may need short- 

 term change in land use. 



Low to moderate, 

 $.50-$10/foot. Costs 

 reflect labor, 

 availability and cost 

 of plants. 



Recontouring 



Increase streambank slope, then 

 cover with erosion blankets and 

 replant native vegetation. 



High chance of success; 

 recovery of riparian habitat. 



Requires design and 

 installation expertise, heavy 

 equipment, and labor. 



Moderalc lo high. 

 $10-$100/foot, 

 depending on bank 

 height and intensity. 



Riprap 



Rocks and boulders cover banks. 

 Reduces vegetation; mitigate by 

 adding logs and/or revegetating. 

 You must consult with government 

 agencies if considering riprap. 



Very stable banks. 



Permanent loss of riparian 

 habitat; may increase 

 velocity and downstream 



erosion. 



Moderate to high. 

 $40-$60/foot, 

 depending on local 



availabilitv of rock. 



4 



Deflector Structures 



Jetties and barbs, usually 

 constructed with natural materials, 

 redirect water from unstable banks. 

 Not recommended for everyday 

 bank erosion problems. You must 

 consult with government agencies 

 if considering deflectors. 



When well designed, 

 provides long-term stability. 



Difficult to design and 

 install; may cause new 

 problems: unnatural 

 appearance. 



ra^l 



Moderate to high, 

 $100-$ 1,000 per 

 structure. 



Revetments 



Organic version of riprap using 

 bundles of brush, roots, or trees. 

 Tires, cars, and other debris are 

 prohibited as bank protection. 



Uses natural materials; easy 

 to install. 



Not effective in high-energy 

 streams. Results take time. 



Moderate, 

 $5-$25/foot. 



Channel Realignment 



To restore natural functions. 

 Extreme measure; requires careful 

 consideration. 



Quickest recovery to full 

 potential; replaces all 

 functions. 



High cost; must use 

 professional. 



Moderate to high. 

 $10-$70/foot. 



* NOTE: These costs are used for comparison only and will vary depending on actual circumstance. 



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