Bank Cribbing
Bank Cribbing is a habitat improvement device designed to imitate the natural cover of an undercut stream bank while creating a stable surface to protect a stream bank from future erosion. Bank Cribbing is most appropriately installed in low-gradient meanders (areas of low elevation change over a stretch of stream that is naturally bending) where overhead cover for fish habitat is needed. Wildlands Conservancy constructs Bank Cribbing using hardwood logs, oak planking and stone. The hardwood logs are trenched into the stream bank and another set of logs is run along the face of the device on top of the trenched logs, establishing the frame of the device. Oak planking is then installed on the logs on the face of the device to provide flooring, which creates the undercut bank. Stone is set on top of the planking to create a stable stream bank, less susceptible to future erosion. A layer of soil is used to cover the stone and is planted with native vegetation.
