streambank erosion is a natural force, but when humans, extreme weather, and land use changes speed it up, the consequences go beyond muddy banks. learn how erosion works, why it matters, and what we can do about it.
understanding streambank erosion
streambank erosion is a natural process, but when it accelerates due to human activity, weather extremes, and land use changes, erosion can threaten community infrastructure or buildings, degrade water quality, and impact ecosystems.
what does streambank erosion look like?
sloughing banks, bare soil, exposed tree roots, sediment in the water, and an overly widened channel are common signs of streambank erosion. unstable banks and downcutting often compromise nearby infrastructures such as roads, bridges, trails, and utilities, while sediment runoff deteriorates water quality and disrupts aquatic habitats downstream. additionally, bank erosion also deteriorates riparian habitat and access to water.
preventing erosion
the best approach to designing community assets (housing, commercial, parks, utilities, etc.) is to avoid impacts to natural resources that protect our watersheds: prairie, wetlands, floodplain, and streams. proactive communities adopt and enforce ordinances minimizing impacts to natural areas, such as stream buffer ordinances. stream restoration approaches also help maintain healthy riparian zones and manage stormwater.
how is it reduced?
we address streambank erosion by assessing our streams and combining engineering expertise with environmental science. depending on the site conditions and severity, our strategies to reduce erosion and improve channel stability may include:
- native plantings and live staking along the banks and in the floodplain
- rock structures such as bendway weirs or toe rock
- bank shaping to restore a more natural, stable slope
- constructing floodplain benches to reestablish connection between the stream and the 1.5 to 2 years floodplain
- remaindering or adding bends back into a straightened channel slows velocities
- out letting tile within the riparian buffer and letting tile water flow overland rather than out letting directly to a channel
- installing edge of field practices such as saturated buffers or bioreactors
- establishing riffles or other grade control structures to reduce streambed downcutting and slow water velocities
- utilizing beaver dam analogs
these strategies are designed to both protect infrastructure and enhance ecological functions. restoring natural stream functions and establishing riparian buffers builds long-term resilience against extreme weather events.
real-world solution in action: fourmile creek, central iowa
fourmile creek in spring 2025
one example of our long-term commitment to stream health is our work along fourmile creek in central iowa, where we partnered with the des moines metropolitan wastewater reclamation authority (wra), polk county conservation, and other local agencies to restore over 8,000 feet of severely eroded stream.
with the support of $4.2 million in srf sponsored project funding, our team designed and implemented cost-effective solutions, such as bendway weirs, toe rock, native buffers, and floodplain benches to stabilize streambanks, protect nearby sewer infrastructure, and improve water quality. this effort helped reduce sediment loads, enhance ecological function, and secure additional conservation land, reflecting the power of collaborative restoration to transform stream systems for lasting community and environmental benefit.
our team’s strategic 2022世界杯32强预选赛 and design efforts have improved not only fourmile creek, but also several other waterways, including sugar creek, buck creek, ioway creek, and the des moines river. each of these projects came with its own goals, landscapes, and technical considerations. by customizing our approach to the surrounding environment and community needs, we’ve supported long-term stream health , enhanced natural habitat, and contributed to more sustainable land and water management practices across the region.
with the support of $4.2 million in srf sponsored project funding, our team designed and implemented cost-effective solutions, such as bendway weirs, toe rock, native buffers, and floodplain benches to stabilize streambanks, protect nearby sewer infrastructure, and improve water quality. this effort helped reduce sediment loads, enhance ecological function, and secure additional conservation land, reflecting the power of collaborative restoration to transform stream systems for lasting community and environmental benefit.
fourmile creek after construction in summer 2025
with the support of $4.2 million in srf sponsored project funding, our team designed and implemented cost-effective solutions, such as bendway weirs, toe rock, native buffers, and floodplain benches to stabilize streambanks, protect nearby sewer infrastructure, and improve water quality. this effort helped reduce sediment loads, enhance ecological function, and secure additional conservation land, reflecting the power of collaborative restoration to transform stream systems for lasting community and environmental benefit.
our team’s strategic 2022世界杯32强预选赛 and design efforts have improved not only fourmile creek, but also several other waterways, including sugar creek, buck creek, ioway creek, and the des moines river. each of these projects came with its own goals, landscapes, and technical considerations. by customizing our approach to the surrounding environment and community needs, we’ve supported long-term stream health , enhanced natural habitat, and contributed to more sustainable land and water management practices across the region.
whether we’re restoring rural streams or stabilizing urban creeks, our team delivers site-specific solutions that enhance environmental health while promoting 世界杯足球比赛预选赛 safety. we understand that healthy streams and buffers are an integral part of our communities, supporting everything from water quality and recreation to flood control and infrastructure protection. by reducing erosion within our waterways, we support the people, ecosystems, and neighborhoods that rely on them every day.
