This time of years see the staff spending more time in front of computers writing reports, developing funding applications with less time spent on the banks of our rivers and burns. This is before and after of some green engineering on the Muck Water at Dalmellington. The burn was eroding into the very popular footpath causing land loss resulting in siltation of the burn. The Muck is one of the most productive tributaries on the River Doon. We used a combination of brash and willow here to protect the banking and the development since July has been fantastic. As well as protecting the footpath and prevent erosion the green engineering is providing great instream cover for fry and parr.
The site prior to any works having been carried out. The erosion is obvious and the burn was eating further and further into the footpath. Work started here took place on the 1st July this summer and as can be seen from the image below just a few months growth has made a huge difference to the site.
With four months of growth the site looks very much improved. The willows are rooting and putting out shoots from all the stakes that are holding the brash bundles in place. It’ll be great to revisit this site next summer and see the development. The willows are already providing cover for juvenile fish.
The was one of Cameron’s (behind Struan) first days with the Trust this summer. The steepness of the banking can clearly be seen here.
Stuart placing turfs over some of the brash bundles to help secure the revetment. Even small works like these require huge amounts of brash and willow, the collection and preparation of materials often takes far more time than the installation. When you see the results of this type of work you can appreciate the value in green engineering solutions over traditional rock armour and gabbion baskets.
