Using Soft Technology to Rehabilitate Impacted Streams

Steve Filipek
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Stream Team Program, #2 Natural Resources Dr., Little Rock, AR 72205; 501-223-6371; sfilipek@agfc.state.ar.us

Sediment is the number one pollutant in Arkansas and in most of the United States. Aquatic habitat and related vertebrate and invertebrate biota can be negatively impacted by sedimentation in these systems. The source of much of this sediment is streambank erosion. In the last 10 years there has been an accelerated evolution in environmental rehabilitation, especially in the field of erosion control. Traditional thinking relative to remediation of eroded streambanks, degradation of stream habitat, or any number of environmental impacts usually stressed "hard" engineering solutions emphasizing riprap as a major means of stabilizing sloughing or eroding streambanks. Based on slope stabilization using trees, rocks and other type armoring and bank renovation using vegetative options, new technology has been melded with ancient engineering for "softer", more flexible yet effective solutions. Several case histories are presented to give examples of solutions to common challenges experienced by aquatic biologists relative to aquatic habitat renovation. These include the use of log cribbing, cedar tree revetments, organic/synthetic erosion control matting, biologs, rooted and unrooted cuttings, fascines, and other nontraditional methods.