Vegetated Geogrids

Detailed cost information was notavailable, however branch packing isexpected to be inexpensive compared toother shoreline stabilization alternativesbased on the minimal material and/orspecialized labor requirements.Similar TechniquesAlternatives include: joint planting, livefascines, brush mattresses.AdaptabilityThe branch packing approach can beextended vertically under potential sealevel rise scenarios; however the overallfragility of the structure will make ithighly susceptible to dislodgement underincreasing flows and/or wave activity.AdvantagesBranch packing has many advantagesover other engineered shore protectionapproaches, among them are:• It is an inexpensive method oferosion prevention.• Vegetation grows quickly and offersimmediate protection.• As the plants grow, the systembecomes more efficient in reducingrunoff and erosion.• The branches can encouragesediment deposition along the shore.DisadvantagesBranch packing has many disadvantagescompared to other engineered shoreprotection approaches, among them are:• They are ineffective in holes that arelarger than 4 feet deep by 4 feetwide.• Stream flow must be diverted ifbranch packing is being consideredat a site that was previously damagedby high velocity flow.• Scouring can occur if branch packingis not flush with the existing bank.DRAFT