<br />Brush Mattress
<br />
<br />
<br />Description and Use
<br />
<br />1lus lcCbniquc uses a mat of willow cuttings aloog
<br />the slope of an eroding areamblmk. The cut ends of
<br />the willows an: plaocd in a treoch at the toe of the
<br />slope aDd an: anchored with a wattle (See otber
<br />Technique Sheet) A grid of wire and wooden
<br />staU:s is IlICd to liCCllfC the mat to the slope. The
<br />willow cuttings will sprout and tate root. thus
<br />5tIbilizi.ng tbe strcuDbank with a dense matrix of
<br />roots.
<br />
<br />How To Install
<br />
<br />See Willow Watt!o'FllIIQDe TocluUquc Sheet for
<br />information on colloctina willow cuttinp for the
<br />WlIl1Ie aud bnI5b IDIIltmIS.
<br />
<br />I. Prqlare the slope of the ib'ea1JIbenk by clearing
<br />nay Jarge ddms. bowe\Ier. do not remove woody
<br />debris ftum the stream ehanDd becau.se tbis
<br />providea importaIlt fish babilaL The brush IDIlttetlI
<br />lcC!uUque is probIbIy IDlXll effective 011 slopes no
<br />SIrJqlCr tban 2H: IV. Exc:anIC a borizoIISal tn:Dch,
<br />II 10 12 iDCbcl deep, at the toe of the stleatnbGtnk
<br />aIoDg the Jenath oftbe area to be trca1t:d.
<br />
<br />2. P'-:e willow cuttitw ill the treDl:h. Make ~
<br />the CUI eocb reaclI the bottom ~ the tIml:h. Spreed
<br />the C1It1ings aJons the f'ac:c at the dope until :1
<br />thickDess ~ 4 to 6 lochcs is 1ldlicvuI.
<br />
<br />3. PouDd in a pid of 24 to 36 inc:b 1003 wooden
<br />stakes into the tIl3ttJeII eYer} 3 to 4 foat omters
<br />
<br />Pole' Plantings
<br />
<br />t .
<br />
<br />Description ~d Use
<br />
<br />Pole plamings are c:auiDp from. willow (Soliz spp,)
<br />or ClOItoawoocl (PoptdllS spp.) usod to ~e
<br />eroding streambanks. TbeIe culUap will sproul
<br />and * rooc. stabiIi.ziDa the strcaIDbaDk with a
<br />dcue matrix of rooIS,
<br />
<br />How To Install
<br />
<br />I, Collect willow OF COIlOClwood cuttiqa {rom a
<br />local. oative Und lbaI is in bcahby conditioD. Thin
<br />no more thall 213 of eacb total plant. Willow
<br />cuttings for pole plantings should generally be at
<br />least 1/2 inch in diameter or larger, depending uPon
<br />the species.
<br />
<br />L..arpr diameter cullin. haw a grealer suppty of
<br />stored energy for rootiq than analler diameter
<br />arttings. Big<< diameIer IJId 10nger IeII&ths arc
<br />better wited for severely eroded areas and
<br />flnduating W31e1lll\lds,
<br />
<br />Idtally. cuttings sbouId be coIlecled durina the
<br />donDaIlt seaSlOII to. CASWCl tho Iaigbcst SUCCCIS rate.
<br />Cuttiqs can be colJccted duri.na the growill8 season
<br />if all die IerJt!II .re removed from the Item,
<br />altbouCh est~i,"mr.nt sualCII will be lowered.
<br />SprilIc pIaa\in8s an: gcDeta1Iy more IUCOeSIfuI than
<br />flail plantiop.
<br />
<br />2. Prep.re cuuinp by trimmiq oft' the top to
<br />
<br />Materials
<br />
<br />0 willow cuttings
<br />0 c1otht.-slinc cord 01'
<br /> wire
<br />0 cham saw or !opper.;
<br /> lto harvc::il wdlo\\s\
<br />0 shovel
<br />" 10-12 gauge WIn:
<br />0 wood stak.:;
<br />0 2 person mtmmum
<br />
<br />(See lUustrated procedure), Use longer stakes in Ie5s
<br />cohesive soil. ~ the brush mattrc:sI by using
<br />10-12 gauge galvanized anneaIcd WIre or clotJlcdine
<br />c:ord tied in 1IlwU.onlal runs and thcu diagonally
<br />between each row of stakes. Tie the wire to the
<br />stakes in such a manner that if the Wire breaks
<br />between two stakes. the inteJlity of the remaining
<br />wirins is maintained,
<br />
<br />4. After wiring the mattress. dnve the stakes In
<br />further to rompress the mattress tightly against the
<br />strtaI1Unk.
<br />
<br />5. Construct I wattle: the length of the area to be
<br />treaaed (mer to Willow WaUle Technique Sheet),
<br />Make sure the wattle is tightly tied together, Place
<br />the wattie in the trench over the cut ends of the brush
<br />mattress. Socure \he wattJe with 18 to 4B inch 100s
<br />wcd~ wooden Sblkes C\lCry S feet as shown
<br />tbe illustrated sequence. Use longer stakes ill less
<br />cohesive soil 10 50IIlC instances. a rock toe may be
<br />II&cd iDstea1 of a willow wuttJe to azx:bor tile cut CIIds
<br />of the 1J\llttft:S5.
<br />
<br />6. BlIckfUI around the wattle and mattress by using
<br />matcrial excavated from the trench. maItin8 lUre to
<br />wort soil into the branches. Use buckct$ of water to
<br />wash the: soil down into the stems. Key the upstream
<br />end of tbc matuas and wattle into the stJeambank to
<br />~ high flows from settiDl behind the mattre5s.
<br />II is a good idea 10 protect this area with some
<br />revetment iafgc rocks. or tree trunks,
<br />
<br />~
<br />
<br />r).:'. :.: ., "
<br />
<br />: ". '.,::~.1
<br />" ":",::::,::,;if.'
<br />
<br />Materials:
<br />
<br />o willow or cottoowood
<br />QlttlQgS
<br />o poly twine .
<br />o chain saw or loppers
<br />(to harvest )
<br />o auger or planting bar
<br />o I person In'inimunJ
<br />
<br />TeJDCM: tho IenDinaI bud, a1lowin& a IlIIjority of \he
<br />energy in the stem to be SCDt to tk IaIcraI budlI for
<br />rooting and IpI'OUting,
<br />
<br />), The cuttings can be tied into buDdIes !Ix cue of
<br />lrUspOIUtion to the site.
<br />
<br />4. Soak the bundles for S to 7 days, Cutting length
<br />is determined by site CODditions, The cutting
<br />sboaJd cxtcDd several incbcs intQ the pcnuanc:ut
<br />water table 10 ensure adequate moisture for
<br />spt'OUtiDl- AlIea1 1/2 to 213 's of the c:uttin& shooJd
<br />be below ground to prevent the cutting from. being
<br />ripped out during high flows, Usually, at least 2 to
<br />3 feet sbouId be below ground. It sbouId also be
<br />long enough 10 emerge above adjacent vegetalion
<br />such lbaI it will not be sbadcd out.
<br />
<br />S, Pole plantings are usually pIaIlted with a power
<br />auger or . pwICb bar, It i.s critical to emure the wi!
<br />is packed around the cutting to ~ air pockets.
<br />"Mudding" (filling the hole With waIer and then
<br />adding soil to make a mud 5luny) can rcIDOW air
<br />
<br />px:b:U .
<br />
<br />6. II is often advisable 10 pJant at least two rows of
<br />attrings to CCMIr the range ill fluctulIting water
<br />levels. TIle /o(;aUon of the cuttiup will dcpeDd OIl
<br />the spcc:if"IC situation and hydrograph. In IOIDC
<br />c:aJCS where information is limited. one row can be
<br />planted at the low Oow line and the Olber at the
<br />hip flow line, Offsc:c the rows to get bccter
<br />aM:nge (see ilIustJ3tion)
<br />
<br />- I Brush Mattress
<br />I
<br />
<br />Inventory & Planning Considerations
<br />
<br />I, Make sure Ibe upslrearn end of Ibe wanJe and
<br />mattress is keyed back into the bank 10 prevent high
<br />flows from scouring behind the mattress Brush
<br />revrtmenl rock baros. Iarxc rocks. and tree I"lnks
<br />can be used in front of this area to protect the
<br />manress,
<br />
<br />2, Be sure to pound in the stakes after wiring the
<br />matuess in order to compress the mattress tightly
<br />against the streambank,
<br />
<br />_, Coyote willow (Sa/IX exigua) is a particularly
<br />good specles for this method because of its' dcllliC
<br />rooting system,
<br />
<br />
<br />Rooting IlOnnoncs and fertilizers do not
<br />significantly improved SlICCesS compared to the cost
<br />of the materials,
<br />
<br />5, Never disturb the: site unnecessarily. Remember
<br />the goal is to stabilize a site, The less it is distlllbcd,
<br />the easier it will be to restore,
<br />
<br />Saw a 2 x 4 diagooally
<br />to produce 2 stakes,
<br />The length will vary
<br />based on on soil
<br />conditions. Use longer
<br />stakes in less cohesive
<br />soil (i e. sandy soils)
<br />
<br />Management
<br />
<br />To ensure the !ugliest success for the treated area.
<br />determiDe the land management practices lhat
<br />created the eroded streambanks and modiC)' those
<br />practIces as necessary
<br />
<br />If the area is grazed, restrict In.'estock from Ueated
<br />areas to altow the eroded section of streambank to
<br />heal, Exclosun: fences an: the most efficient means
<br />10 accomplish this goal, Managers should resist the
<br />lemptation to put the exc10sure fences at tilt: high
<br />water line, The exclosure area should include
<br />enough of the: riparian zone to allow the stream to
<br />shift natw'ally over time,
<br />
<br />If the: area is fanned. a riparian buffer strip should be
<br />established and maintained A buffer strip on both
<br />sides of the stream should be set aside to allow for
<br />natural riparian vegetation and stream function, A
<br />wider buffer strip is strongly encouraged and will
<br />}'leld greater benefits.
<br />
<br />Check with your local NRCS district conservationist
<br />lor cost-share programs and volwueers for fencing.
<br />planting. and other restordtion activities,
<br />
<br />Finally, a stream is an intel'COt\llCded system, Land
<br />use practices both upstream and downstICam will
<br />affect the success of your bioengineering wort. Talk
<br />with your neighbors and work together to create a
<br />healthier riparian and stream system that can benefit
<br />everyone.
<br />
<br />Monitoring & Maintenance
<br />
<br />It is important to monitor the: project after it has been
<br />inst.a1Ied. Periodie monitoring of the project will
<br />provide valuable insight into the &tabilization process
<br />and may offer important information for future
<br />projects,
<br />
<br />Periodic maintenance includes making sun: the
<br />stakes and wire are still securing the mattress to the
<br />sneambanlc, The up;tream end should be carefully
<br />checked to make sure flows are not getting behind
<br />the: lnatuess,
<br />
<br />Procedure for Brush Mattress
<br />
<br />Willow collection. soaking and
<br />wattle c:onstnK:tion sbouId occur
<br />prior to excavation of the
<br />trellCll See "How to Install",
<br />
<br />
<br />~____:,~. _ ~~~i
<br />-,
<br />
<br />
<br />Skp One: Exuvatc Trcnch
<br />
<br />ptace w1110w5 in the Ucnch.. maklDg sure
<br />the cut ends reach the bonom,
<br />
<br />
<br />Step Two: Matt~. PhKcmeol
<br />
<br />
<br />After wiring the
<br />mattress. drive
<br />the stakes in
<br />furthel 10
<br />compress rile
<br />mattress against
<br />the streambank,
<br />
<br />Et.1ablish a gird of wedge-shaped wooden stakes
<br />and wire as shown,
<br />
<br />
<br />~_,.~..";.;~~~~t:~~:.:...).'~..~'-~~ J'
<br />~..,.... ........
<br />~ \Il4J
<br />
<br />
<br />Skp T111'ft: S~ Plac:emeDt aDd Wiring
<br />
<br />
<br />Step four: Mattreu Compreuion
<br />
<br />The mattress and wattle should be panially
<br />oovered with soil, malting sure 10 work the soil
<br />into the voids, l.eave parts of the blanket
<br />expo&ed fOI sprouting.
<br />
<br />
<br />Step Fiw: Secure Wattle Step Six: Backfdl
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Step One. Harvest Willow ClIttinp
<br />
<br />Place wattle in trench, Scauc wattle
<br />with 2 wodge-shaped wooden stakes as
<br />shown
<br />
<br />
<br />Pole Plantings Procedure for Pole Plantings
<br />
<br />Inventory & Planning Considerations
<br />
<br />I, Shrub will~'S such as coyote willow (Sa/IX
<br />extpa) are used for planting within channel bcuIb,
<br />Willow tree species and cottonll'OOds an: normally
<br />planted akm& the upper buk Uld f100dplain areas,
<br />Tree splCics usual1y provide more shade.
<br />
<br />2. If this IIIldbod is U8tld in a bigb)y erodible area.
<br />some p"*Ction will be rcquimJ in front of the pole
<br />piaati. In pIU1ic:uIu. the toe of the slope is very
<br />susceptibIc to erosive flOM and scour. Analysis and
<br />calculations of forces will provide guidance for
<br />suitable toe: proUICtioo (refer to CIt8pcm J of the
<br />StreImbcmk BioeogineeriDg Guide), In some cases,
<br />brush revetmeIIl 01 fiber roIlt OIly be adequale (tee
<br />other Tedmique Sheetl). while otber situaliOfll IDa)'
<br />require rock. If rock is used. can:IuI appIicatiOll is
<br />required. Improperly plaoed rock can result in
<br />erosion problems on the oppoIite sueambank as
<br />wdl as downstream.
<br />
<br />3 . As. with all teclmiques, give careful attention to
<br />the upstream and downstream cmds of the treatment
<br />area to p~nt Oows from JCtting behind the
<br />tratmcnt. The key is to divert flows away from
<br />tbese endpoiftts, TyiDg into existing on site: features
<br />sucb u trees. rocb, ctc.. or usina bruah rcvctmr:nt
<br />and rock beftls are IOI1Il: po5SibIe sotutioas.
<br />
<br />4. It is important that the cuttings be pIaa:d in
<br />water immediately (oUowing ham:sting if they arc
<br />going to be planted during the llCXt wcc:k. The
<br />cuttings can also bC kept in cold 5torage (32 to 35"
<br />F) for up to 6 montIIs. After reIDO\'8l frvm wid
<br />storage. 908k the cuttiqs for S to 7 days prior to
<br />planting.
<br />
<br />5. Rooting hormones and fertilizers do DOt
<br />signi&antly improved suoc:as oompared to the COIl
<br />01 the materials.
<br />
<br />6. Cuttings will often require initial protection
<br />from beaver. Fine wire SCRlCIl or mcsII can be
<br />accured around the QJ.ttinp to offer protc:dion.
<br />
<br />7. Never distmb the site~. Rc:IDedJer
<br />the pi is to stabilize a site. The less it is disturtIcd,
<br />the easier it will be to restOre.
<br />
<br />Management
<br />
<br />To ensure tbc Itigbc5I SllCOCliS for the treated area.
<br />determine the land mauasement practices that
<br />created the eroded stre:ambanks and modify thOllle
<br />ptaCtia:s as 1ICXlCSSIlIy.
<br />
<br />If the Ireta is grazed, restrict livestock from treated
<br />araIS to allow the eroded SlCCliOll of Itr'c::UIIbIDk to
<br />beal. ExdlllUfC fClllXa an: the lDDIt dficic:at means
<br />to accomplish this goal. Manqers Ibaald resist the
<br />temptatioo to put the cxclosure fCDCC5 at the high
<br />water liIle. The e.xcf0lUre areas sbouJd include
<br />enough of tile riparian ztme to allow the stream to
<br />shift naturall}. over time.
<br />
<br />If the area is farmed. a ripRriaD buffer suip should be
<br />_.hlfl:hM aad maintained. A buffer strip on both
<br />sides 01 the stn:am should be set aside to allow for
<br />oatWlIl riparian vepation and stream t\mction. A
<br />wider buffer !lUip is strongly encouraged aftd will
<br />yield greater benofIts,
<br />
<br />Check with your local NRCS district conservationist
<br />for COSl-sbare pnlIJ3IDS and volunteers for fencing.
<br />planting. and OCher RlStOflltion ~ivitics.
<br />
<br />Finally. a weam is an interconnected system. Land
<br />IIIC: practices both upst.ream and doWJl5lrQm will
<br />affect the SUOCC$S ofyvur bioengincerirt& work. Talk
<br />with your neighbon and work together to create a
<br />healthier riparian and stream system that can benefit
<br />everyone .
<br />
<br />Monitoring & Maintenance
<br />
<br />Do not ipre the project after it has been iNlalIec1,
<br />PeriOdic DIOrutoring of the project will provide
<br />valW1b1e insight into the stabiliUllion process and
<br />may offer important information for future projects
<br />
<br />RcplantiD8 will protJebIy be occessary to flll in llJ1:U
<br />where plantings did DOt grow. It is not onoommon to
<br />bavc: some adIiqs die due to higbly variable wratcr
<br />flows front year to year or fJom wildlife predItioo.
<br />Flood debris lodged around the cuttinp should be
<br />removed to premIt shading and to allow growth,
<br />
<br />Soak bundles for 5 10 7 days. Remove them
<br />from water before roots enu:rgc:,
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Step Three: Soak. WilJow BundIe.~
<br />
<br />
<br />Plant the pole sucb that the end of the cuttings
<br />cxtcnds into the water table, Above ground
<br />height varies (See: "How to Inslall"),
<br />
<br />
<br />St Fiw: Pole PlUlt'
<br />
<br />~~
<br />~
<br />
<br />Trim off all side
<br />and terminal
<br />branches
<br />
<br />1t3
<br />
<br />Tie cuttings into 8-12"
<br />diameter bundles using 2
<br />pieces of twine to facilitate
<br />1f',lIISportation,
<br />
<br />Step Two: Creat~ WiDow BUDdies
<br />
<br />Final cutting length w;ll vary (See "How to
<br />Install"), Punch bars or augers can be used for
<br />creating the holes
<br />
<br />f+
<br />
<br />1'\.IoH'al6r -.
<br />
<br />Step Four: Plantinjt PrqJllration
<br />
<br />The following is a good spacing pattern to cover
<br />lbe variables of a nuct1iating water lc:vel,
<br />
<br />
<br />S SU: Pole Plllnmat
<br />
<br />-1
<br />
<br />DATE
<br />
<br />NO'
<br />
<br />REVISIONS:
<br />
<br />BIOENGINEERING
<br />NORTH
<br />IMPROVEMENT
<br />
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<br />4183
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<br />By:
<br />
<br />DETAILS
<br />FORK RIVER
<br />PROJECT
<br />
<br />BY
<br />
<br />CRANE ASSOCIATES
<br />
<br />path'
<br />DATE: Auq. 1999
<br />
<br />
<br />Of
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