Embankment construction measures

For near-natural development, the embankments of small watercourses, canals and ditches are often fortified with wood or stones. In the case of timber structures, this is usually done using living or dead wood construction methods. In the St. Albanteich, a number of shoring measures are in place. These are living groynes, interwoven fences and timber shoring. Additional stones for bank stabilisation have also been installed in some places.

The following are possible measures for stabilising riverbanks:

Overlapping like roof tiles, following the direction of flow, upright wooden boards are secured with stakes.

Living willows that are anchored in the ground so that they may take root and grow are woven around stakes in the ground.

The crown of a conifer or a whole tree is anchored in the water. The water is swirled, and thus fine matter is deposited. The revetment tree also serves as a shelter for juvenile fish.

Bundles of living branches are planted and anchored on the riverbank. Installation is carried out parallel to the riverbank or in a staggered overlapping manner, resulting in a slight groyne effect.

A brushwood fascine usually involves double rows of wooden stakes. Willows are packed and tied between two rows of stakes driven into the ground parallel to each other and spaced 0.5 m apart.  At the bottom, bundles of willows are placed crosswise. This traditionally serves to protect the bank from wave impact. On the banksides of streams or small rivers, brushwood fascines promote the growth of reeds.

Bundles of willow consisting of living matter are anchored on the riverbank pointing either downstream or upstream. They are used as an embankment and riverbed protection measure.

Have the effect of groynes and are made up of living bundles of willow. They correspond in length to 2/3 of the width of the stream.

In order to protect the banks and riverbed, large stone blocks are placed in the river.