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In-channel Tree Felling

in-channel tree felling post fire

 

What – Directionally felling trees in a staggered herringbone pattern with tops pointed upstream.

Purpose – Intended to trap floating debris and suspended sediment.  Over time, large woody material dissipates stream energy, provides cover and habitat for fish while providing long-term channel stability.

Effectiveness – Directional felling appears to work better when implemented in gentle gradients, high in the watershed, and placed in a series.  Problems include complete structure failure from large storms.  In-channel treatments without adjacent hillslope treatments are ineffective.

Where

  • Areas of high-burn severity.
  • Channels where energy dissipation is necessary.
  • Channels with unstable bedload and high sediment-loading potential.

Cost – $3500–4000 per mile of treatment, based on approximately 100 trees felled per mile of channel.  Additional factors include:

  • Location of treatment area
  • Amount of material (trees) available

How to Link – See USDA BAER Catalog page 90 (PDF page 98).