Characterization of Sandbar Willow Stems for Erosion Control Applications

摘要

Reservoir shoreline erosion is a problem of national scope (Allen and Tingle 1993). Traditionally, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has tended to treat its eroding shorelines by using concrete structures, stone riprap, and other engineering 'hard fixes' to halt this soil loss. In recent years, other techniques have been employed using woody and herbaceous vegetation alone or in combination with traditional hard fixes to stabilize eroding shorelines and to absorb or attenuate wave energy. In low-energy environments (average wave heights less than 0.46 m to 0.61 m (1.5 ft to 2 ft)), simple structures constructed from locally available willows can armor shorelines effectively and act as barriers to dampen or reduce wave action. Examples of simple structures include brush mattresses, branch box breakwaters, and brush layering.