Engineering Solutions

J-Hooks

For an engineering solution, we investigated using the j-hook as a solution to sediment. We picked this engineering solution because of how affective it was at stopping sediment and slowing down the river, which would also slow down erosion. It would do this by using rocks lodged tightly together near the bank of the river and also a few rocks spaced out in a hook to allow water flow. The rocks near the bank would slow down the water flow and the flow would eventually come over the rocks. The rocks that were spaced out let the water flow tightly and collide with the rest of the water, creating a scour pond. This would slow down sediment and erosion. We did not use this solution because it requires too many resources, and too much time.

This is a prototype of a j-hook, although we did not use it, and a model inside a stream table.

Cross Vanes

Cross vanes are U shaped man-made rock formations that are designed to slow river flow. The top of the U faces the current, forming a deeper pool area on the other side of the rocks. This is ideal for fish and other river life habitat. We investigated using cross vanes as a solution to sediment and erosion. This could be a solution because it has been effective at stopping erosion by slowing down the river.

Rip-rap

After watching a video about riprap, the students decided that stopping the sediment, rather than catching it would be the best decision. Riprap is a series of rocks along the bank of a river to stop the soil from moving from the side of the river. The vegetation helps the riprap by holding the rocks in places; the vegetation also helps hold the soil. The students decided that riprap was not the best solution to the problem because it would be an extensive project that would require more expertise than they had. They discovered this problem as they created a prototype and tested it in a stream bed trailer. The problem became apparent as they had watched videos, and had discovered how extensive a prototype was.