The gabion structure at the Turabo River runs for over 1000 feet. Note the debris up to where the water level rose during a moderate rain.
Believe it or not, this river fill up very quickly in any major rain.
The first row of Vetiver is started along the edge
There is a long way to go still - and then we have to do another one.
The two rows run all the way along the edge a foot apart. We need to develop a strong hedge in the shortest possible time.
The small 10 ft by 33 ft patch at the end protects the end of the structure from the direct force of the flowing water.
It has been tough going. Trenching in the dry fill under burning sun is not for the faint of heart, but we are finally done.
A set of three pictures showing the full curve of the riverbank that was protected by the Vetiver.
At 8 months, the Vetiver is growing well in very poor fill material.
At eight months the plants are starting to close the hedge. No fertilizer has been applied so far, but it is scheduled. Note the top-to-bottom band at the start of the gabions.
At eight months, the top-to-bottom band protects the front end of the gavions. Plants have held the soil well in spite of flows up to mid-bank. The band is just 10 feet wide by 33 feet down to the riverbed. Eleven rows with cross rows were used.
