Better than riprap
By JOAN CROTHERS Sentinel Editor

Sean Crimmins with D2 Land & Water Resource, shows a coir log with the small holes for plants.

There is a lot of shoreline around Lake Chatuge that needs to have help of some sort to keep erosion down. Rock riprap is one buffer that has been used by many homeowners living on the lake, but there is a big problem with that. The rock absorbs the heat of the sun and transfers it to the water, making a good growing environment for algae. And we all know that is not a good thing for the lake.

There are new products on the market that have many advantages over riprap. .more economical and easier to install, .recognized by U.S. EPA as a preferred Best Management Practice (BMP), .provides a natural filter for runoff water allowing entrapment of sediments and absorbing harmful pollutants (fertilizer, pesticides). Hard rocks enable little or no water infiltration and/or pollutant removal, collect trash, and promote weed growth.

Two of these products are vegetated coir logs and Vmax3 reinforced vegetation, both sold by D2 Land and Water Resource, Inc. (1-800-597- 2180).

The coir logs are made from coconut fibers, which soak up water for the native plants that are in each log. You stake it in place and in three days have an instant buffer. The plants' roots soon are well established and the log itself lasts from eight to ten years. They cost $40/log. With the lake down because of the drought, it is a good time to work with this product.

The Vmax3 is more for severe slopes, critical channels, or high impact shorelines. It features three different permanent turf reinforcement mats that give you maximum erosion control, maximum vegetation establishment, and maximum vegetation reinforcement.