Bank Stabilization

[freedam]

Anyone have ideas of what i can plant or place to help keep the soil and stones from falling in? I’ve read about preplanted coconut mats but that sounds expensive.
Thanks in advance

[aquaholic]

What length of pond bank requires stabilisation?
If your on a strict budget but do have time and energy, you can "shoot" a mix of soaked shredded newspaper, grass seed and flour (binder) onto the exposed bank. The paper will form a protective biodegradable barrier against wind, rain and soil movement until the seeds germinate. Even a thin protective layer will be effective as it holds the seeds in place until rooting.

It would be best to spread the paper from a boat so you don't damage the bank further.
Put a lot of newspaper through a paper shredder. You will need more than you think but it's free if you look in the right places.
Put the shredded paper and a grass seed mixture into an IBC with water and use a portable or petrol driven trash pump to mix and pulverise the paper further.
You can use the trash pump to shoot and spread this paper mix onto the bank to form a protective layer. Aim it as a high moving arc to encourage spread and reduce water impact damage. Or try mixing and throwing by hand if trash pump is not available.

I have only used this method from truck with custom water canon to stabilise steep hillsides and roadway cuttings but it works well. The truck had a large water tank with a slow moving propeller to keep the paper solids constantly in suspension.

[*Ci*]

This was an older thread that never got an answer … I wonder if freedam ever got it sorted out? They were last seen on Koiphen back in May ‘23.
Thanks for posting, though, aquaholic, good information for others with this issue.