Lean Bio-engineered Shoreline Habitat  with Internal Wave Energy Barrier.
Built by Macoupin Mechanical Boats

This Lake Rip Rap Shoreline Habitat Design is intended to stop undermining of the bank, stop shoreline retreat, dissipate wave energy, reduce sediment loading and provide a shoreline habitat through native plant seeding.  This economical design is a soil filled, stand-alone revetment complete with stone on stone strength and particle interlock that can be used with a high level of confidence in a heavy wave energy environment.  The design incorporates a geo-textile energy barrier to isolate the soil fill from wave energy and a coir fiber turf reinforcement mat. The

 
    revetment is not structurally dependent upon the vegetation, but the vegetation provides the ecological benefits of a shoreline habitat and increases stability as the root zone develops.  This affordable design makes bio-engineering feasible for large remote shoreline projects.
 


Click the images to see the transition.


 

The Result of fluctuating water level on aquatic vegetation…

In 1999, this newly built breakwater had “Set the Stage for a Natural Shoreline Healing”

By 2007 a naturally colonized wetland with remarkable diversity had developed nicely. 

The naturally colonized transitional wetland improved continuously for eight years.  However, after several weeks of high water in the spring of 2008, many of the aquatic plant species were lost.

But, the breakwater on filter fabric was still intact, completely functional and is again…    
Setting the Stage for a Natural Shoreline
Healing
at no additional cost.

In 2008, turbid water was 6 feet above full pool for several weeks, cutting off light to the aquatic plants.

Return to Top and Reset Transitions

 

   

Copyright © 2008-09.  Lake Rip Rap, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.