Protection against bed and bank erosion on trenches and brooks
Sustainable protection against flooding and erosion
Any construction project that interferes with the natural stream course of small trenches and brooks requires sustainable protection against flooding and erosion.
Natural streams shape landscapes and are constantly in movement. They shift large amounts of sediment, soil, and flotsam. In the process, not only the stream course itself changes, but the entire stream area including the floodplain. Often, we hardly notice these changes because they happen very slowly. During floods, however, a streams can be completely transformed overnight.
Nowadays, straightened and narrowed trenches and brooks must be continuously maintained and repaired after severe flood events. These short-lived investments could also be partly channeled into the renaturation of watercourses and the creation of waterourse development areas. In the long term, investing in areas for near-natural waterourse development pays off, as it reduces the risk of flooding and the potential for damage.
Erosion protection systems support near-natural trench course development
Permanent and temporary erosion control systems support the development of near-natural watercourses. They act against erosion by fluids such as wind or water, enable groundwater protection and help increase water quality and habitat diversity.
For trenches and brooks, the focus is on creating a suitable and natural surface for flora and fauna that also complies with the environmental principles, e.g., those of the EU Water Framework Directive.
Temporary natural fibre systems
100% biodegradable natural fibre systems with coir fibres are ideal for temporary installation. They reduce flow velocity and support diverse brook hydraulics.
Georolls e.g., allow the flow to be specifically adjusted and therefore provide water morphological process areas. The size of the individual semipermeable elements and the modified flow allow flow and cross-sectional forms, current shadows, scouring, fords and embankments to form. The resulting complex dynamic structural diversity drives extremely good ecological conditions in flowing water bodies.
Typical solutions
- Vegetating trench/brook slopes
- Vegetating dykes
Permanent geotextile systems
For permanent installation, geomat product combinations of 3D Mesh and nonwoven components are suitable. The erosion control mats are modular and consist of a UV-stabilised, biologically, and chemically resistant 3D Mesh.
They reduce the flow energy at the trenches and brooks bottom so that only smaller particles can be transported and provide space for sedimentation. In combination with the nonwoven component, they additionally support particle retention below the product by forming a particle barrier.
Typical solution
- Vegetating, protecting, and securing brook beds
- Fixing trench/brook beds
Software and product recommendation for erosion control systems
Naue erosion control systems provide temporary and permanent erosion control for any application in the form of Secumat® products. This includes the Secumat® ClassicLine geocells, earth anchors and erosion control steel pins as well as combined 3D Mesh products. Secumat® GreenLine uses biodegradable areal products and wooden pins for fixing.
