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<br />. <br /> <br />INTRODUCTION <br /> <br />Urban streams can be assets to a community, yet flooding, erosion, stream bank <br /> <br />instabilities and basic environmental degradation along urban creek channels pose significant <br /> <br />problems to landowners adjacent to these creeks. Problems with urban streams arise from <br /> <br />a change in natural stream corridor characteristics, often brought about by urbanization itself, <br /> <br />Some properties and buildings are endangered by such processes, and despite individuals' <br /> <br /> <br />effons to remedy the effects, problems can be recurring or can cause damage farther <br /> <br /> <br />downstream from the site. <br /> <br />Flooding, erosion and stream bank instability also deteriorate the natural values of <br /> <br /> <br />streams. Historically, structural solutions such as concrete channels were typically <br /> <br />constructed to stabilize stream banks and protect properties. <br /> <br /> <br />. Currently, the trend is toward restoration of the natural attributes of the stream as <br /> <br />well as structural improvements. Some structures that incorporate revegetation are wood crib <br /> <br /> <br />walls, live fascines (which are bundles of live cuttings anchored into the stream bank) and <br /> <br /> <br />other live cuttings, and brush matting or brush layering. All are designed to slow the <br /> <br /> <br />velocity of the stream and prevent bank instability. These methods as well as others such as <br /> <br /> <br />check walls, rock or stone wails, and wood plank walls are recommended for both aesthetic <br /> <br /> <br />and functional purposes. Many characteristics of a natural stream are restored using such <br /> <br /> <br />methods, but benefits provided by these more natural methods have not been measured. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />1 <br />