Tree Revetments
SNP Restoration Efforts
 East Canyon Creek runs along the north side of
I-80 and approximately 2 miles flow within the boundaries of Swaner Nature Preserve. Many homeowners enjoy the view of the snaking creek from their back windows and the wildlife it attracts. Several portions of the creek have given way to erosion due to abusive social trails, natural wear-and-tear, and the persuasive currents of the stream. In order to preserve the creek banks, Swaner Nature Preserve collaborated with members of the East Canyon Creek Watershed Committee to stabilize the stream erosion.
Why Tree Revetments?
Tree revetments, anchoring trees along a streambank, are an inexpensive, effective way of stopping streambank erosion. The trees slow the current along the eroding bank, decreasing erosion and allowing silt and sand to be deposited along the bank and within the tree branches. The deposited material forms a good seed bed in which the seeds of river trees such as cottonwoods sprout and grow. The resulting trees spread roots throughout the revetment and streambank. By the time the revetment trees have decayed, the bank should be stabilized by the roots of the living trees. As an added benefit, tree revetments create in-stream cover necessary for channel diversity and aquatic habitat.
During August of 2007, 706 linear feet of revetments were installed. This could not have been accomplished without help from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources employees, volunteers through the Dedicated Hunters program, the local Watershed Coordinator, and SNP's dedicated staff and volunteers.
If you would like to be involved in a similar restoration effort, please email admin@swanernature.org.
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