Genesee RiverWatch has published a white paper describing an evaluation of novel streambank restoration techniques. In partnership with the Oatka Creek Watershed Committee and Genesee Country Village and Museum, Genesee RiverWatch designed, installed, and evaluated two novel streambank restoration techniques on a segment of Oatka Creek using bio-engineering techniques that create aquatic and riparian habitat.

These techniques made maximum use of materials available on-site and minimized purchased materials and equipment from off-site. Both designs compared favorably to typical toe wood construction with stone barbs. The most notable conclusions were:

1. Site 2 installation costs per foot were significantly less while Site 1 costs were more than traditional methods
2. Both designs used significantly less material from off-site
3. Both designs used a comparable amount of material from onsite
4. Both designs used many fewer root wads, thus preserving carbon-absorbing mature trees.
5. Both designs created riparian and aquatic habitat
6. Both of these designs were relatively straightforward to install

This project was funded by a grant from NYS Sea Grant to identify, design, install, and evaluate two options to restore eroded streambanks and/or prevent erosion on Oatka Creek using bio-engineering techniques that create aquatic and riparian habitat.