Bank Stabilization

Bank stabilization practices, often referred to as bioengineering, are a nonstructural means of stabilizing roadsides, stream banks, lakeside or bluffs from further accelerated erosion.

Vegetation is often one of the main components for erosion control and stabilization. Deep rooting species with the ability to spread quickly are very beneficial to a successful bank stabilization project.

The project pictured above is located on a Puget Sound bluff of roughly 80 feet of steep terrain composed mostly of sand. Depending on the extent of a project, various tools may be needed to apply erosion control matting, insert livestakes and plant bareroot material.

Before planting can begin, it is very important to remove all invasive vegetation. For example, Blackberry and English Ivy have shallow root systems that can cause more erosion and bank instability. Once the invasive species are removed, it is recommended that erosion control matting be used on the exposed area to hold the soil in place until plant material can become established.  Next, it is important to stake the matting with live cuttings.  The live cuttings will help hold the mat in place and supply a deep rooted plant that will anchor the soil. The plants will also uptake any extra moisture that could cause slope failure. Additional bareroot plant material can also be used by planting in slits in the erosion control mat for added species diversity.

For more information and/or complete list of plants,  please contact the Plant Materials Center by email:  pmcsales@clearwire.net or phone: 360 757 1094.