Stafford Slide Biotechnical
Erosion Control Project
PHOTO DOCUMENTATION
June 8, 2000
Prepared by:
Salix Applied Earthcare
| NORTH SLIDE
Salix Applied Earthcare first trained PALCO workers on
willow harvesting methods, bundling of willow wattles and
live fascines, and construction and placement of the wattles,
fascines, modified brush layers, live pole drains, and live
stakes. The North Slide received biotechnical erosion
control treatment first. On the North Slide, workers constructed
35 willow wattles, for a total coverage of 385 linear feet of
wattles. The wattles were also used in combination with
the brushlayering biotechnical technique, and these are called
“modified brush layers” or “MBLs”.
A total of 31 modified brush layers were constructed on the
North Slide, for a total coverage of 420 linear feet.
Additionally, 20 live pole drains were
constructed on the slopes, for a total of 782 linear feet of
pole drains. A live pole drain (LPD) is a biotechnical
and reclamation technique that is intended to drain excess moisture
away from an unstable site. The drains are constructed
of one or more live fascine bundles, which are similar willow
wattles with the exception that the basal ends of the branches
are oriented in the same direction. Unstable slopes, landslides,
and small slumping gullies can often be successfully treated
with live pole drains. This is a good technique to initiate
the process of natural healing.
Live staking, a biotechnical method which involves driving
a single willow stake into the ground, was also applied on various
areas of the North Slide which did not receive the other aforementioned
treatments. Approximately 600 linear feet of live stakes
were planted, ranging from 1-3 feet apart. |
 Biotechnical Erosion Control was used to help stabilize the Stafford Slide, reduce surficial erosion, and revegetate bare, exposed slopes. PALCO workers harvested cuttings of locally-adapted willow species. The miracle of willow is that it can form adventitious roots from the portion of the stem that is in contact with soil and water, while branches sprout above. The roots eventually spread out and stabilize the soil. Biotechnical systems are strong initially and grow stronger with time as the vegetation becomes established. The photo above shows a willow wattle which is beginning to form adventitious roots. (Stafford Slide, June 2, 2000)
This live pole drain was installed on the North Slide in order to help drain excess moisture from the slope. |
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