Our client, Infrastructure Alliance, had to access an old bridge up a 450m stream path to put in footings for a new span. The equipment used to effect those essential preparations, together with high winter water flows, meant that the original stream path became degraded, so Erosion Control’s expertise was called in to help protect the path until repairs can be made to it in summer. The terrain was tricky and access difficult – creative thinking was needed for such a delicate undertaking, so here’s what we came up with:

A larger truck (plus an extra to avoid repeated water replenishments) parked on firmer ground pumped water as needed into the smaller Hydroseeder, which was towed by a quad bike to keep its weight down and minimise damage to the park areas by the stream.

Thick 32mm alkathene pipe was used to pump the Hydroseed/Flexterra mix, resulting in less friction in the pipe compared to traditional canvas hose, thereby reducing wear and tear on the already vulnerable stream track. Additional manpower ensured that the pipes would not kink or bend. This innovation means that we can now pump hydroseed approx. double the distance previously achievable.

Result: Mission accomplished safely and effectively!

You can click here to watch video footage of our lateral thinking in action – it really does demonstrate just how complex and multi-layered our solution to protecting a vulnerable stream track had to be.