2008 Bioengineering Field School

Salmonid Restoration Federation, with the support of the CA Department of Fish and Wildlife, produced a Bioengineering Field School on the Central Coast from October 19-21, 2008 in Santa Barbara, CA.

Instructor Evan Engber, of Bioengineering Associates, taught techniques to restore riparian habitat, control erosion, and stabilize banks. Participants toured projects in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties and learned how to build willow mattresses and live siltation baffles. Willow siltation baffles are designed to achieve several objectives. According to the California Salmonid Stream Habitat Restoration Manual their function is similar to a wing deflector which can be used for bank protection and energy dissipation. They are designed to work in a series and pass flow through the structure, sort bedload, dissipate energy, and trap fines. A vegetated buffer on the top of the bank is created by planting native trees and shrubs.