Recipes for You to Use and Adapt

Numerous recipes and conceptual diagrams exist for low-tech process-based restoration structures. Here we highlight some examples and references for you to follow and/or adapt.

Structure Recipes

Beaver Dam Analogues
Post-Assisted Log Structures
Rock-Based Erosion Control Structures
(Rock-based icon)

Low-Tech Techniques & Resources Organized by Processes Promoted

Adapted from Appendix C (Table 4) in Chapter 1 - Shahverdian et al. (2019)

Promoting and/or Mimicking Wood Accumulation

Name	Helpful Reference(s)
Seeding of Wood – Direct Recruitment of Unanchored Wood
Direct Felling	Carah et al. 2014. Low-Cost Restoration Technique for Rapidly Increasing Wood Cover in Coastal Coho Salmon Streams. DOI: 10.1080/02755947.2014.943861
Grip-Hoisting	Micelston, 2014. Rigging Handbook for Trail Work
	Introduction to Rigging for Trails
Structural Placement of Wood Accumulations
Post-Assisted Log Structures	Chapter 5 (Shahverdian et al., 2019)
Submerged Shelters	White and Bryndilson 1967, pp. 34–35
Improving Supply of Woody Material
Riparian Plantings	Hall et al. 2011
Practical Grazing Management for Riparian Areas	Swanson et al., 2015
Fencing	White and Bryndilson 1967, pp. 34–35

Promoting and/or Mimicking Beaver Dam Activity

Name	Helpful Reference(s)
Beaver Translocation	Woodruff and Pollock, 2015
Beaver Dam Analogues	Chapter 5 (Shahverdian et al., 2019)
Trapping Closures	Figure 7 (Valachovic)
Grazing Management	See Chapter II of Kraebel and Pillsbury (1934); see Butterfield et al. 2019 - Holistic Management Handbook

Promoting Root Mat Production in Wet Meadows with Erosion Control

Many of these structures are commonly used in erosion control intermittent and ephemeral channels, but not exclusively. These are used frequently in channels that have headcuts extending into wet meadows and threaten the continued key process of root mat production. In such situations, these meadows may have naturally had no channels, or less incised channels, or discontinuous channels. See Kraebel and Pillsbury for brush, wood, and rock examples and some rock-based examples.

Name	Helpful Reference(s)
Baffles	Zeedyk and Clothier 2009, pp. 85–91
One Rock Dams	Maestas et al. 2018; Zeedyk and Clothier 2009, pp. 102–104; Pocket Guide
Post and Brush Dams	Kraebel and Pillsbury 1934 - Structures 7 & 8 (Figures 20–29)
Post and Brush Plugs	Kraebel and Pillsbury 1934 - Structure 2 (Figure 10)
Tree Dam	Kraebel and Pillsbury 1934 - Structures 11 & 12 (Figures 36–38)
Tree Plug	Kraebel and Pillsbury 1934 - Structure 3 (Figure 11)
Vanes	Zeedyk and Clothier 2009, pp. 92–98
Wicker Weirs	Zeedyk and Clothier 2009, pp. 100–102
Zuni Bowls	Maestas et al. 2018; Zeedyk and Clothier 2009, pp. 106–107; Pocket Guide

Helpful References

Zeedyk, B. and Clothier, V., 2009. Let the Water Do the Work. Island Press.
Kraebel, C.J. and Pillsbury, A.F., 1934. Handbook of Erosion Control in Mountain Meadows.
Maestas, J.D. et al., 2018. Hand-built Structures for Restoring Degraded Meadows in Sagebrush Rangelands
White, R.J. and Brynildson, O.M., 1967. Guidelines for Management of Trout Stream Habitat in Wisconsin
Swanson, S. et al., 2015. Practical Grazing Management to Maintain or Restore Riparian Functions

Ones You Can Use Legally

Creative Commons

Of the recipes we provided in the Manual, most are open source, so you can use them in your own designs, permit applications, and reports. Like most recipes, local adaptations, substitutions, and changes can be made to best suit your needs. However, when getting started, or for defining minimum standards of practice, these recipes are helpful. We license all these with a Creative Commons Attribution License so you can adapt, distribute, and share.

Despite making all the recipes (link) in the #lowtechPBR manual free for re-use with @creativecommons licenses, people still are confused 🙄. Yes, it’s okay to use or adapt them! For example: Typical Schematics of #BDAs link
— Joe Wheaton (tweet)