Criteria for Woody Vegetation Placement in Streambank Protection

The role woody vegetation plays in restoring and protecting streambanks is widely recognized. In addition, it has a variety of environmental benefits, including providing overhanging cover, temperature modification, supplying organic debris, and providing streamside habitat for nesting areas and protected wildlife corridors. While this role has become well understood, concerns are often expressed regarding the use of woody vegetation in streambank protection relating to its resistance to erosion in channels with high velocities. This is especially true of streams in urban areas as well as those that have been relocated and/or shortened. Additionally, questions arise regarding how it is affected by ice and debris, and what guidelines are available for determining the lowest bank elevation for establishing vegetation.