Bioengineering & “Funnel” Strategy Nichols Road Bridge, Onondaga Creek, NY A completed project needed some “tweaking” and veg. Top bank stone was removed the week before. All stone placement & planting occurred on Tuesday May 15, 2007.
Onondaga Nichol Road Bridge, LaFayette, NY – project planted THE LAYOUT & THE PLAN
Looking US Flow
Blue lines denote water’s edge at base flow Sketch from Mark Schaub bar Nichol Road Bridge
Top layer of stone will be removed from red areas. The US section of the left bank will then be sloped & all areas planted.
Removed stone will be then placed in the brown areas using the trenchfill technology to provide a “funnel” effect to prevent the stream from flanking the existing project.
100 Black Willow, 2,000 Streamco Willow, 500 Red Osier Dogwood & 100 Sycamore were planted using the Slit Trench & Slit Brush Layering bioengineering methods. 40 RPM container plants (7 species of trees & shrubs) were planted in the green oval areas. Black Willow & Sycamore Extreme Instant Shade shown by the orange lines. Note: Plantings form a grid to flow
Onondaga Nichol Road Bridge, LaFayette, NY – project planted PHASE 1: RIGHT FLOODPLAIN REVEGETATION- TWO-STAGE SLIT TRENCH & RPM ROOTED-STOCK PLANTS
Onondaga Nichol Road Bridge, LaFayette, NY – project planted PHASE 1: RIGHT FLOODPLAIN REVEGETATION- TWO-STAGE SLIT TRENCH & RPM ROOTED-STOCK PLANTS
Onondaga Nichol Road Bridge, LaFayette, NY – project planted PLANT PLANTS WITH LARGE YELLOW MACHINES
Onondaga Nichol Road Bridge, LaFayette, NY – project planted Looking US at right bank. Pix by Derrick
TWO-STAGE SLIT TRENCH TECHNIQUE Sketches by Derrick Dig the trench down into the capillary (vadose) zone {moist area above the permanent water table} Mini-Case study: 1 of 16 Spoil
Onondaga Nichol Road Bridge, LaFayette, NY – project planted Rubber tired backhoe digs 4-5 ft deep trench with a narrow bucket. Pix by Bill Frederick Mini-Case study: 2 of 16
TWO-STAGE SLIT TRENCH TECHNIQUE Water table Mini-Case study: 3 of 16
TWO-STAGE SLIT TRENCH TECHNIQUE Vadose zone {moist area} is shown in pink Mini-Case study: 4 of 16 Water table
TWO-STAGE SLIT TRENCH TECHNIQUE Take the last scoop of soil dug from the trench & place it back into the trench. Mini-Case study: 5 of 16
Onondaga Nichol Road Bridge, LaFayette, NY – project planted Rubber tired backhoe digs trench (narrow bucket). Pix by Derrick Mini-Case study: 6 of 16
TWO-STAGE SLIT TRENCH TECHNIQUE Place willows & other water-loving species into loose soil at bottom of trench. They are then less likely to fall over when trench is backfilled. Mini-Case study: 7 of 16
Onondaga Nichol Road Bridge, LaFayette, NY – project planted Many hands get things done quickly, 2,740 plants planted in about 6 hours. That’s why they call it a workshop. Pix by Derrick
TWO-STAGE SLIT TRENCH TECHNIQUE Partially backfill the trench. Mini-Case study: 9 of 16
TWO-STAGE SLIT TRENCH TECHNIQUE Plant other species that require less water than the willow. In this case Sycamore & Red Osier Dogwood Mini-Case study: 11 of 16
Onondaga Nichol Road Bridge, LaFayette, NY – project planted Partially backfill, then plant species that require less water (Red Osier Dogwood & Sycamore). Pix by Derrick Mini-Case study: 10 of 16
TWO-STAGE SLIT TRENCH TECHNIQUE Completely backfill trench & water plants in Mini-Case study: 13 of 16 DONE
Onondaga Nichol Road Bridge, LaFayette, NY – project planted Backfill using either the bulldozer…..Pix by Derrick Mini-Case study: 14 of 16
Onondaga Nichol Road Bridge, LaFayette, NY – project planted Or the backhoe………. Pix by James Bennett Mini-Case study: 15 of 16
Onondaga Nichol Road Bridge, LaFayette, NY – project planted Pix by Derrick ONE TRENCH DONE, MORE TO GO Mini-Case study: 16 of 16
Onondaga Nichol Road Bridge, LaFayette, NY – project planted Digging trenches on a grid. Nice mix of Streamco Willow, Sycamore and Red Osier Dogwood in foreground. Pix by Kathy Blaisure
Onondaga Nichol Road Bridge, LaFayette, NY – project planted Slit Trenches on the grid pattern. Pix by Derrick
Onondaga Nichol Road Bridge, LaFayette, NY – project planted LET’S SEE HOW IT GROWS
Onondaga Nichol Road Bridge, LaFayette, NY – project planted BEFORE :00am. Pix by Derrick
Black Willow, Streamco Willow, Red Osier Dogwood & Sycamore were planted using the Slit Trench bioengineering method. 40 RPM container plants (7 species of trees & shrubs) were planted in the green oval areas. Plantings form a grid to flow. No matter how water flows through the project, it encounters rows of vegetation (Living Dikes)
Onondaga Nichol Road Bridge, LaFayette, NY – project planted AFTER NOON. Pix by Derrick
Onondaga Nichol Road Bridge, LaFayette, NY – project planted Aug 3, 2007 Less than 3 months after installation. Looking US at right bank floodplain. Pix by Mark Schaub
Onondaga Nichol Road Bridge, LaFayette, NY – project planted Aug 3, 2007 {less than 3 months after installation}. Looking US at right bank floodplain. Pix by Mark Schaub
Onondaga Nichol Road Bridge, LaFayette, NY – project planted Aug 3, 2007 {less than 3 months after installation}. Looking US at right bank floodplain. Pix by Mark Schaub
Onondaga Nichol Road Bridge, LaFayette, NY – project planted Sept 10, 2007 {less than 4 months after installation}. Looking US at right bank floodplain. Pix by Mark Schaub
Onondaga Nichol Road Bridge, LaFayette, NY – project planted Oct 16, 2007 {5 months after installation}. Looking US at right bank floodplain. Pix by Mark Schaub
Onondaga Creek-Year 2 July 10, {middle of second growing season} Looking at Slit Brush Layering (right bank). Pix by Derrick
Onondaga Creek-Year 2 July 10, {middle of second growing season} Right overbank lush growth, average height is 7 to 9 ft tall. Pix by Derrick
2 YEARS & 1 MONTH AFTER PROJECT COMPLETION Photos by Derrick JUNE 18, 2009
2 YEARS & 1 MONTH LATER-Looking the planted floodplain (Mark hidden in plants). Very lush growth, dense as desired from a hydraulic point of view. 2 YEARS & 1 MONTH LATER-Onondaga Nichol Rd Bridge-DERRICK
2 YEARS & 1 MONTH a lush Slit Trench planting. 2 YEARS & 1 MONTH LATER-Onondaga Nichol Rd Bridge-DERRICK
2 YEARS & 1 MONTH LATER-Close look at willow & dogwood. Lush growth, low mortality. 2 YEARS & 1 MONTH LATER-Onondaga Nichol Rd Bridge-DERRICK
2 YEARS & 1 MONTH LATER-Beaver browsing results in multi-stem grow back characteristics. 2 YEARS & 1 MONTH LATER-Onondaga Nichol Rd Bridge-DERRICK
2 YEARS & 1 MONTH LATER-Deer browse has not had much effect on project function either. 2 YEARS & 1 MONTH LATER-Onondaga Nichol Rd Bridge-DERRICK
2 YEARS & 1 MONTH LATER-The US row of Slit Brush Layering with many willow in the ft range. 2 YEARS & 1 MONTH LATER-Onondaga Nichol Rd Bridge-DERRICK
2 YEARS & 1 MONTH LATER-Mark with ft tall willow. 2 YEARS & 1 MONTH LATER-Onondaga Nichol Rd Bridge-DERRICK
3 YEARS AFTER PROJECT COMPLETION Photos by Derrick JULY 21, YEARS & 1 MONTH LATER-Onondaga Nichol Rd Bridge-DERRICK
3 YEARS LATER-Looking robust floodplain bench growth 3 YEARS LATER-Onondaga Nichol Rd Bridge-DERRICK
3 YEARS LATER-Close-up of floodplain bench plantings 3 YEARS LATER-Onondaga Nichol Rd Bridge-DERRICK
3 YEARS LATER-Robust streamside growth!!! 3 YEARS LATER-Onondaga Nichol Rd Bridge-DERRICK
Onondaga Nichol Road Bridge, LaFayette, NY – project planted PHASE 3: TRENCHFILL REVETMENT US END OF PROJECT ON THE LEFT DESCENDING BANK
Onondaga Nichol Road Bridge, LaFayette, NY – project planted PROJECT COMPLETE. Looking DS at left side floodplain. This is what water sees. Pix by Derrick
Onondaga Creek-Year 2 July 10, {middle of second growing season} Looking at left overbank poles (Slit Trench & Trenchfill poles). Pix by Derrick
2 YEARS & 1 MONTH LATER- Looking at left overbank 8-12 ft tall poles (Slit Trench & Trenchfill poles). 2 YEARS & 1 MONTH LATER-Onondaga Nichol Rd Bridge-DERRICK
Onondaga Nichol Road Bridge, LaFayette, NY – project planted PHASE 4: LEFT BANK REVEGETATION-SLIT BRUSH LAYERING, EXTREME INSTANT SHADE, SLIT TRENCH, & RPM ROOTED-STOCK PLANTS
Onondaga Nichol Road Bridge, LaFayette, NY – project planted Two rows of Slit Brush Layering located along black lines. Pix by Derrick
Onondaga Nichol Road Bridge, LaFayette, NY – project planted TWO LAYERS OF “SLIT” BRUSH LAYERING
Onondaga Nichol Road Bridge, LaFayette, NY – project planted This is almost a Live Siltation retrofit. Pix by James Bennett
Onondaga Nichol Road Bridge, LaFayette, NY – project planted Slit Brush Layering the Streamco Willow close to water surface. Pix by Kathy Blaisure
Onondaga Nichol Road Bridge, LaFayette, NY – project planted Looking US at both layers of completed Slit Brush Layering. Pix by Bill Frederick
Onondaga Nichol Road Bridge, LaFayette, NY – project planted Looking US at both layers of Slit Brush Layering. Pix by Bill Frederick
Onondaga Creek-Year 2 July 10, Looking at Slit Brush Layering. Pix by Derrick
Onondaga Creek-Year 2 July 10, Looking at Slit Brush Layering. Pix by Derrick
2 YEARS & 1 MONTH AFTER PROJECT COMPLETION Photos by Derrick JUNE 18, 2009
2 YEARS & 1 MONTH LATER-Left bank & overbank vegetation is robust & lush & fully functioning. 2 YEARS & 1 MONTH LATER-Onondaga Nichol Rd Bridge-DERRICK
2 YEARS & 1 MONTH left bank Slit Brush Layering. Vegetation is robust & lush & fully functioning. Red Osier Dogwood is dominating the Slit Brush Layering on the bank 2 YEARS & 1 MONTH LATER-Onondaga Nichol Rd Bridge-DERRICK
2 YEARS & 1 MONTH LATER-Looking 2 rows of Slit Brush Layering. 2 YEARS & 1 MONTH LATER-Onondaga Nichol Rd Bridge-DERRICK
Site – soil conditions are not ideal. Fill soil is a clay fragipan, when dry is like concrete. (Extremely dry summer -2007) Slit-Trench Black Willow-low mortality & outstanding growth, many 9 to 10 ft tall. When planted most 2-3 ft tall. Slit-Trench Streamco Willow-low mortality & outstanding growth, many 9 to 14 ft tall. Slit-Trench red osier dogwood – medium mortality, very good growth Slit-Trench & Slit Brush Layering Sycamore – high mortality, few if any survived Extreme Instant Shade Sycamore – all dead. Slit Brush Layering Willow – med mortality, decent growth, not very tall. Slit Brush Layering Red Osier Dogwood – low to medium mortality- dominating with lush growth. Pole Plantings in existing stone bank – low mortality, ~6-8 ft growth. RPM rooted stock trees – outstanding shrub growth, beaver browse on several trees, mixed performance on remainder of trees, many surviving not thriving, with a couple showing fast growth, ft tall. RESULTS AFTER TWO GROWING SEASONS
CLEOPHUS SPEED ELVIS DERRICK, AT REST It’s time to relax and watch the project grow even more {The Luxury of Time}