Professional Documents
Culture Documents
How it works
A grade control structure is used to stabilize a stream, grassed waterway, or gully
to reduce channel bed erosion. This practice is used at sites where the flow velocity
or the concentration of water in a channel or gully requires a structure to stabilize
the grade or to prevent head cuts from migrating upstream.
How it helps
Stabilizes the grade and controls erosion in natural or artificial channels
Prevents gully head cut formation and channel bed erosion by lowering water in a controlled manner
Enhances environmental quality and reduces pollution hazards
Manages channel flow line for non-erosion benefits, including fish passage, water table control, and
reduced turbidity
Planning ahead
Are ESA considerations or special permits required?
Are adequate conservation practices installed above the structure to prevent sedimentation?
Is the planned location in the proper place to achieve the level of control you want?
Technical notes
Ask your conservation planner for design and construction specifications.
The landowner must obtain any necessary easements or permits.
Maintenance
Avoid operating farm equipment too close to the structure.
Maintain good vegetative cover on all slopes and water courses.
Control livestock access to the structure.
Remove debris accumulation at the structure and immediately upstream or downstream.
Keep burrowing animals off earthen structures.
Keep outlets free of debris.
Heavy Metal
FABLABFRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016
One of the more unique monitoring solutions created by our FABLAB is the rigid weir featured in
our post Rigid by Design, a project constructed to track fish passing both upstream and downstream
of the project location. While fabricating the weir was an extensive process in itself, the process of
installing the two-segment weir in two channels separated by a large in-river island was an all-hands
effort that took several days to complete, as shown in our newest highlight video. What isn’t apparent
in the video is that the installation challenges were exacerbated by the smoky conditions created by
the Tenaya Fire in nearby Yosemite National Park.
To reach the monitoring site located deep in a canyon, our installation team was assisted by a crane
operator to transport the large and heavy weir components. The composition and uneven depth of the
riverbed posed additional challenges for installation. The substrate of large cobbles made for uneven
footing and gave us a difficult time in lining up the weir panels. Solving these challenges required
some meticulous work, including applying struts across all the panels to keep them connected and in
place. The problem of gaps at the bottom of the panels created by the uneven riverbed (which could
allow fish to slip through undetected) was solved by sliding small pipes down through the weir
pickets in order to extend their length, as seen on day three of the highlight.
The design and implementation of this weir is one of our more creative and challenging projects.
Throughout the course of the monitoring season, the structure has survived being bombarded by large
mats of debris being swept downriver at high flows. The rigid, tripod-like design of the panels has
allowed it to survive substantial debris loads, while continuing to collect reliable data. Make sure to
check out our highlight video to see how it all came together.