How to Stabilize and Restore Streambanks Cleared After Helene
Here are steps to take this spring.
By Hans Lohmeyer, Stewardship Coordinator
Many landowners along rivers now find themselves with bare, vulnerable banks. These areas were either scoured by floodwaters or recently cleared during storm debris removal efforts. This presents a major erosion risk, especially with no plants in place to stabilize the soil. And with the window for spring planting rapidly closing, it’s important to act quickly.
If you’re in this situation, we recommend sowing a temporary groundcover seed mix. These grasses and legumes are fast-growing and short-lived, typically lasting just one season. Their primary role is to hold the soil in place, reduce erosion, and help outcompete invasive species until a more permanent native plant community can be established during fall planting.
In areas experiencing high levels of erosion or steeper slopes, we strongly recommend installing wildlife-friendly coir matting. This biodegradable material provides immediate soil stabilization and helps prevent seeds from washing away before they can germinate. It is particularly effective on slopes and in flood-prone zones, offering a natural way to jumpstart site recovery.
As for which seeds to plant, we’ve selected the following species for several key reasons. They are typically available at local farm and feed stores, cost-effective compared to native seed mixes, and proven to establish quickly in riparian areas.
Recommended Temporary Cover Crop Species:
- Brown Top Millet
- Partridge Pea
- Annual Rye
These species are non-invasive, fast-growing, and suitable for riparian conditions. If possible, try to sow these seeds before the end of the month. This is especially important for Annual Rye, which prefers cooler spring temperatures.
Avoid planting invasive species like Tall Fescue. It can outcompete native vegetation and persist long-term, making future restoration efforts more difficult.
Once this temporary groundcover has done its job for the season, the site can be transitioned to a more diverse and permanent mix of native grasses, shrubs, and trees. The easiest and most affordable method to re-establish native woody plants along streams is through live staking. We’ll be sharing more guidance on this method later this season.
For now, getting seed on the ground and keeping the soil covered is a critical first step.
Related Resources
- If you have had issues with debris removal contractors, you can report the issues with this form through MountainTrue.
- Sadly, we have observed impacts to endangered species. Here is more information on those impacts and our call to better safeguard our rivers and wildlife.
- NC Wildlife Resources Commission has helpfully provided these guidelines for debris removal and channel excavation.
