The Petsinger Streambank Restoration Site

On June 28, 2006 a "hands on" workshop was held to add conifer revetments to the Petsinger Streambank Restoration Site.  Brush and tree revetments are non-sprouting shrubs or trees installed along the toe or edge of a streambank.  This treatment is sometimes referred to a Christmas Tree Revetments.  The purpose of a revetment is to slow stream velocity (speed) adjacent to an eroding bank and to promote sediment deposition at the toe of the river.  The revetment material does not need to sprout (most species used will not).  It is generally recommended that live willows or other quickly sprouting species be planted behind the revetment to provide permanent cover.

Following are photos and descriptions of what conifer revetments are and how they are installed.  The photos have been converted to thumbnails to speed the loading of the page.  To enlarge any of the photos, just click on them to enlarge them.

  Diagram of the work plan.

Specifications and materials used for the design of the revetments at this site.

The Grand Forks Air Force Base had a stand of conifer trees that need thinning, and allowed the ND Forest Service and Kyle Glazewski (GF County SCD Watershed Coordinator) onto the base to remove the trees.  They transported the trees to the site prior to the workshop.

Participants gathered on site to divide up the work.

The trees needed to be cut to the lengths appropriate for the project.

Weed whackers were used to clear the site.

Braided aircraft cable (3/16") was cut to the appropriate lengths.

Duckbill earth anchors were added to the cable ends.

Splicing connectors were secured to hold the anchors in place.

Trees were dragged to the project site.

The trees were then placed in the appropriate locations,

then wired together.

Trees needed to be trimmed to get them to fit tightly together.

The Duckbill earth anchors and braided cable were pounded into the ground.

It was a very hot day, and popsicles brought a welcome relief to the workshop participants.

Forty trees later, the project was nearly complete.

Project history.