Our creeks, streams and lakes are a resource that should be protected as a source of natural beauty and recreation. In addition, our creeks and streams, and areas surrounding them are an integral part of communities’ infrastructure as they assist in managing pollutants and flooding. Creeks and streams can suffer from erosion problems leading to homeowner troubles. Depending on the severity of the problem, there are numerous ways to reduce the erosion.

Historically, creek and stream erosion solutions have involved conventional measures such as dumping specifically sized stones (rip rap) and building walls of wire baskets filled with stones (gabion baskets).

Long term monitoring of creeks and streams using these erosion control methods shows that instead of solving the problem, they aggravate it.

While placing stone rip-rap, railroad ties, or concrete on an eroding stream bank may appear to solve the problem, these practices often fail because they do not stabilize the bank properly. Water flowing near the rip-rap generally moves fast and there is often turbulence near the bank. As water hits and deflects off the riprap it gains velocity and is more likely to erode adjacent unprotected areas. Rip-rap also tends to require ongoing maintenance to correct instances where the rock is being undermined and either peeling away from the bank, or slumping into the stream (see picture on right)

These methods transfer and sometimes amplify this energy to the next section of unprotected stream bank, creating a new set of problems, and usually causes increased erosion around and downstream of the hard materials. These structures, if installed incorrectly, may narrow the creek or stream, which increases the speed of the flow further increasing erosion. Inappropriate solutions may cause more long-term damage than doing nothing at all. Any in-stream work to install these hard structures requires US Army Corp of Engineers and Ohio EPA permits.

Hard structures such a gabion baskets can be used. They are typically used when infrastructure, such as utility lines, roads or buildings are endangered by the eroding stream. Use the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Stream Management Guide – Gabion Baskets for design and installation guidelines. In addition contact your community and US Army Corp of Engineers and Ohio EPA about necessary permits.

Use a vegetative bank instead

Vegetation is the number one resource for protecting eroding stream banks. A creek or stream with limited damage may be stabilized with vegetation. The banks are planted with deep rooted plants that can hold soil in place and can withstand flooding and high velocity water. Vegetation planted along the creek or stream can be extremely useful in controlling soil erosion, providing wildlife habitat and improving water quality. One way to establish vegetation is through the use of dormant, woody stakes and posts to stabilize the banks and bare-root or transplanted trees can be used on top of the banks.

The upper section of the bank should also be planted with deep-rooted vegetation to prevent erosion. Plants may include native shade trees, shrubs, tall grasses or green herbaceous plants. For a more formal look, plant a strip of medium height native grass (2-3 feet) between the creek bank and lawn. When mowing the lawn add a design by mowing a curve along the lawn and planted area. Add color to the edge of the planted area with flowering plants. To view the stream, cut or mow view corridors, and/or make a pathway corridor to the stream. Use wood chips other soft materials that will soak up rain.

For directions on how and what dormant shrubs and vegetation to plant, see the following resources. It is recommended that you consult with your local soil and water conservation district, stormwater utility, or watershed organization before starting a stream bank stabilization project. See the Resource List (link) for contact information.

• Life at the Waters Edge: Plant Cuttings to Stabilize Your Stream.
• Ohio Stream Management Guides: Restoring Streambanks with Vegetation

List of plants for bank stabilization

Please note, vegetation that is suitable to be planted along a stream corridor or bank is not limited to this list.

This list includes both sun and part shade tolerant plant. Be sure to review the climate and sun tolerance to ensure it is compatible with your site.

Shrubs—Planted as Dormant Cuttings
For information on how to plant dormant cuttings see the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Guide: Ohio Stream Management Guide – Restoring Streambanks with Vegetation

• Redosier Dogwood (Cornus stolonifera)
• Grey Stem Dogwood (Cornus racemosa)
• Silky Dogwood (Cornus amomum)
• Green Twig Dogwood (Cornus rugosa)
• Sandbar Willow (Salix interior)
• Dwarf Willow (Salix x cottetii)
• Purpleosier Willow (Salix purpurea)
• Bottonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)—Plant at the bottom of the bank close to or in water.
• Pussy willow (Salix discolor)

Shrubs

• Spicebush (Lindera bennzoin)
• Ironwood (Carpinus caroliniana)
• Hawthorn (Crataegus flabella)
• Speckled alder (Alnus incana subspecies rugosa)

Wildflowers

• New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae)
• Prairie Blazing Star (Liatris pycnostachya)
• Dense Blazing Star (Liatris spicata)
• Brown-eyed/Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia spp.)
• Purple Cone Flower (Echinacea purpurea)
• Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias tincarnata)

Grasses

• Meadow Sage (Salvia pratensis)
• Torrey’s Rush (Juncus torreyi)
• Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum)

Trees

• Eastern Cottonwood (Populus deltoides)
• Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum)
• American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)
• Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata)
• Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)
• Black Willow (Salix nigra)

These plant species or varieties of these species may be purchased or ordered from many nurseries including the following nurseries.

• Avalon Gardens, 12511 Fowlers Mill Road, Chardon, OH 44024, (440) 286-2126
• Chagrin Valley Nursery, 1370 River Road, Gates Mills, Ohio 44040, (440) 423-3363
• Chelsea Flower Garden. 14743 Kinsman Rd, Middlefield, OH 44062, (440) 834- 1222
• Ernset Conservation Seeds, PA, (800) 873-3321
• Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District Annual Spring Tree Sale, 14269 Claridon-Troy Road, PO Box 410, Burton, Ohio 44021, (440) 834-1122.
• Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District Annual Spring Tree Sale, 125 E. Erie St., Painesville, OH 44077, (440)350-2730.
• Musser Forest, Inc., Indiana, PA, (800) 643-8319

Basic creek and stream maintenance practices to help keep the stream stable

• Do not mow to the creek or stream edge (see picture at right). Keep deep rooted vegetation along the banks to prevent erosion. See the plant list at the end of the “What to do with a wet backyard” page a list of plants that can be used along your stream bank.
• Plant deep rooted plants along creek or stream bank (flowers, shrubs, or trees found in Ohio)
• Leave some woody debris in the stream channel. It can be moved to the banks to help stabilize them.
• Never dump lawn waste such as grass clippings or leaves along stream banks as it will kill stream bank vegetation and cause more erosion. Instead setup your own composting bin. See The Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet: Composting at Home.
• Never use heavy equipment (including riding mowers) within 10 feet of a creek or stream. The weight of the equipment can lead to crumbling of the banks.
• Keep structures at least 25 feet away from the stream bank, larger distances are recommend for larger streams. This distance will vary if your community implements a riparian setback regulation. Contact your community engineering, building, or zoning department to determine if your community has such zoning requirements.
• Get in touch with your county soil and water conservation district, local stormwater department/utility or watershed organization for additional information and for advice on more aggressive erosion problems. See the Resource List for contact information.

Support for this section provided by Lake Erie Protection Fund and Chagrin River Watershed Partners.