Living willow hurdles case study - Erosion control
Client
Greenfix Ltd.
Project period
February - March 2003
Project outline
To prevent erosion on a 120m stretch of vulnerable bank of the River Ember. The river is adjacent to the Island Barn Reservoir and there is potential for it to undermine the reservoir embankment. The riverbank is 2.5m high and sloping at an angle of 60 degrees.
Services provided
Supply and installation of 60 live willow hurdles, 2m x 1.25m. Due to the height and shallow slope of the bank, live willow hurdles were chosen instead of spiling. The riverbank along the designated stretch was levelled and any potentially competing vegetation removed. The hurdles were installed along the bank with their base at or just above the current water level and embedded into a ledge created in the toe of the bank to encourage rooting.
