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Introduction
Reading Your Shoreline
Identifying Your Objectives
Designing Your Shoreline
Implementing Your Project

Protect

Prevent Disturbances
Plant Native Species

Plant Native Species: Live Plants: Recommended Actions

Erosion Control Fabrics

Erosion-control fabrics are available from commercial sources. Choose a 100% biodegradable material suited for the characteristics of your site (steepness, amount of runoff, etc.). Coir (coconut fiber) is known for its longevity. Jute, wood fiber and straw biodegrade faster. Ask your local vendor to help you select the appropriate erosion control fabric for your site.

Coir fabrics come in multiple brands and forms. For shoreline projects, there are two types that are more commonly used and that work in all three shoreline zones.

The first is a loosely packed blanket of coir fibers within a biodegradable natural fiber net. It works especially well within the transitional zone. Plants can be easily installed through a cut in the fabric.

The second type is a coir fiber twine that looks more like a woven netting. It is better for steeper slopes, stream banks and more severe conditions. It will stay in place for a longer period of time.

Wood fiber blankets are made of curled strands of wood fiber placed between photodegradable or biodegradable netting. These are good to use in stabilizing upland slopes that have been seeded. Wood fiber blankets are available in different weights depending upon conditions and are generally less expensive than coir.

Straw blankets are used for short-term needs. They degrade in 60 days to about 10 months depending upon the type chosen. They should be used in upland situations, for example over a seeded slope.

Another erosion control option is using pregrown mats of plants. Available through select nurseries, plants are custom grown within erosion control fabric for site specific needs and the mats are staked in place.

There are some situations where a nonbiodegradable erosion control material is needed, such as a turf reinforcement mat. They are used in more severe situations such as sites with very heavy wave action, high stream flow velocities, or heavy runoff.

How to install:
Erosion control fabrics are installed with stakes. In addition to metal staples and plastic pegs, several types of biodegradable stakes are available:
  • Hardwood stakes which are all natural but may take years to break down.
  • Corn byproduct stakes which break down within a year
  • Corn byproduct staples which completely degrade in three months but
    might not work as well in sandy soils.
Biodegradable stakes or staples should be used wherever possible.

Erosion control blankets are installed using different methods depending upon site specific conditions and uses. Ask for installation instructions from the product vendor.