Vegetated Riprap:

COTTONWOOD CREEK RESTORATION PROJECT

Link to: Main Cottonwood Creek Community Project

Location: Lower reach of Cottonwood Creek in Nelson, BC.

Client: Nelson Rod & Gun Club/Nelson Cottonwood Creek Restoration Committee

Objective: Stabilize eroding sections of creek bank using vegetated riprap.

As part of the Cottonwood Creek restoration project, in the spring of 2008 a section of eroded bank adjacent to a pedestrian bridge was repaired using a vegetated riprap application.

Construction started with excavation of the bank and placement of a riprap toe at the base of the bank. Above this toe the bank was excavated to allow the placement of willow (Salix ssp) and red-osier dogwood (Cornus stolonifera) cuttings. The base of these cuttings was covered with native soil; protective wooden sheets were then placed over the portion of the cuttings to be covered with riprap. A second and then third “lift” of riprap and live cuttings were placed above in the same manner. Native soil was then placed above the highest row of live cuttings at the top of the bank. The bank was then seeded using a native seed mix and planted with native shrub seedlings.

In the summer of 2008, the survival and growth in this section of vegetated riprap was assessed as good to excellent.