Incorporating Instream Fisheries Habitat Considerations When Designing Streambank Stabilization Projects

Larry Mohn
Virginia Dept of Game and Inland Fisheries. P.O. Box 996, Verona, Virginia 540-248-9360 lmohn@dgif.state.va.us

Streambank stabilization and the design of natural stream channels have become a major emphasis of natural resource agencies in their efforts to improve watersheds. In our attempts to achieve a natural look while keeping costs as low as possible, considerable effort has been expended in eliminating traditional hard engineering solutions. Although some very economical solutions can be employed to stabilize streambanks, incorporating some hard structure can greatly enhance the finished product both in terms of stability and physical instream habitat while maintaining a very natural look. Several projects will be reviewed that combine the use of riprap, rock placement, logs and rootwads with numerous bio-engineering techniques to achieve stable, functioning stream channels with significantly improved fisheries habitat.