Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
https://hdl.handle.net/11681/3948| Title: | Brush mattresses for streambank erosion control |
| Authors: | Allen, Hollis H. Fischenich, J. Craig, 1962- |
| Keywords: | Riparian areas Erosion Brush |
| Publisher: | Engineer Research and Development Center (U.S.) |
| Series/Report no.: | Technical Note (Ecosystem Management and Restoration Research Program (U.S.)) ; no. ERDC TN-EMRRP-SR-23 |
| Abstract: | A brush mattress is a layer (mattress) of interlaced live branches placed on a bank face, often with a live fascine and/or rock at the base. The live branches are cut from any adventitiously sprouting (sprouts roots from stems) woody plant, such as willow and some species of shrub dogwood and alder. The mattress and the live fascines are held in place with wire or twine, live stakes, and dead stout stakes. A brush mattress, with a live fascine and/or rock at its toe, is used along the face of an eroding bank and acts principally to armor the bank (Figure 1 a-c). The brush mattress has the potential to immediately slow velocities along the bank and accumulate sediment. Together with the sprouting plants, the brush mattress develops a strong network of interlocking roots and plant stems. The brush mattress helps to control bank erosion while serving as habitat for birds, small fur-bearing animals, and insects and other organisms that in turn are fed upon by fish and other higher organisms. Once the vegetation reaches a height of a few feet, it can provide shade to the stream - lowering water temperatures, offering protection from predators, and generally improving fish habitat. The brush mattress can also improve non-point pollution control by intercepting sediment and associated pollutants coming into the stream from overbank areas and in the flow. |
| Description: | Technical Note |
| Gov't Doc #: | ERDC TN-EMRRP-SR-23 |
| Rights: | Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/11681/3948 |
| Appears in Collections: | Technical Note |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ERDC-TN-EMRRP-SR-23.pdf | 603.94 kB | Adobe PDF |  View/Open |