Photo by Danna Truslow
Truslow RC worked with a project team managed by Rockingham County Conservation District (RCCD) to stabilize an eroding stream bank along the Exeter River in Brentwood. The Town of Brentwood funded the project through an Aquatic Resource Mitigation (ARM) grant and through 319 funding from NHDES.
The impaired stream bank was downstream from an old milldam and is on the outer bank (cutbank) of a river bend. In the reach of concern, a heavily traveled gravel road closely borders the river. A large tree on the stream bank was undercut during spring flooding in 2007 and fell into the river, pulling the root ball and surrounding soil away from the bank. Heavy use of the area for fishing and swimming has also impacted the steep bank.
Truslow RC worked with the team to map the river reach and understand the river dynamics in the impacted area. The team developed a conceptual approach for stream bank stabilization and reach restoration. A combination of re-routing river access paths and a tree revetment, locked logs, toe stone, slope grading, coir matting, and plantings around the fallen tree area were used to stabilize the bank and moderate the river’s energy along the outer bank. Strategically placed boulders and native plantings at the road edge will protect the bank from road traffic near the top of bank.
Client/Collaborators
- Rockingham County Conservation District
- Marc Jacobs, CWS
Services Provided
- Hydrology, Geomorphology, & Restoration
- GIS Mapping and Analysis