Otter Creek (Copper County)

Streambank height averages 8 feet, and bank material consists of unconsoloidated sandy gravel at the toe and silty material at th upper bank. Several sites were treated with both hardwood and cedar tree revetments. The average treatment length was 400 feet, and the total area treated was 2,050 feet. Trees were 15 feet or more in height with crown diamters of at least 8 feet. Trees were secured along the bank, tree tops were pointed downstream, and overlap was about 30 percent.

Generally the cedar revetments worked better than the hardwood kind; greater branching encourages sediment deposition. The revetments are now beginning to silt in, and the streambanks are establishing a stable configuration. It is anticipated that within 5 years natural vegetation will begin holding the bank material even more securely.

Locust Creek (Sullivan County)

Bank heights range from 10 to 20 feet. In the fall of 1987, willow posts 4 to 5 feet long were planted at the toe of the slope. Willow cuttings 18 inches long were planted along the bank above the posts. Initial survival was 90 percent, and 1 year survival was 70 percent. However, drought has severly affected survival. At the same time tree revetments consisting of 6 to 10 inch diameter pin oaks were anchored to the toe of the bank at another eroding site. Additional cedar whole-tree revetments were installed during the spring of 1989.

Labarque Creek (Jefferson County)

Streambanks are 8 to 10 feet high and consist of large amounts of unconsolidated sands and gravels. A combination of dormant plantings (willow cuttings, stakes, and posts) and tree revetments was installed beginning 1987. The willow plantings were severely affected by willow leaf beetle. Defoliation in combination with dry conditions, greatly decreased survival. The tree revetments have held very well. Cedar revetments provided greater bank protection than the hardwood revetments. The streambanks above revetments installed in 1987 have stabilized, and natural vegetation is thriving.