The first method to stop riverbank erosion is natural vegetation. Natural vegetation has a massive impact on a riverbank. The plants form deep root systems which help to hold soil in place and protect it from being washed away. Plants can also absorb the shock of heavy rainfall.

Human activity causes 10 times more erosion of continental surfaces than all natural processes combined, an analysis by a University of Michigan geologist shows. People have been the main cause of worldwide erosion since early in the first millennium, said Bruce Wilkinson, a U-M professor of geological sciences.

Ten simple choices for a healthier planet.

1. Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Cut down on what you throw away.
2. Volunteer. Volunteer for cleanups in your community.
3. Educate.
4. Conserve water.
5. Choose sustainable.
6. Shop wisely.
7. Use long-lasting light bulbs.
8. Plant a tree.

River bank failure can be caused when the gravitational forces acting on a bank exceed the forces which hold the sediment together. Failure depends on sediment type, layering, and moisture content. All river banks experience erosion, but failure is dependent on the location and the rate at which erosion is occurring.

Sow grass along the top of the bank for additional stability and erosion control. Use a native grass, such as California fescue (Festuca californica), hardy in USDA zones 7 to 9, help stabilize the top of a creek bank and reduce the speed of water flowing over and down the bank to the creek.

Increased storm water runoff, which is typically caused by the addition of impervious surfaces to the land, such as pavement and roofs, also causes erosion. To correct the problem, you must stabilize the banks of your stream by building a retaining wall along creeks or attempting other natural methods.

Tree Revetment. In a tree revetment system, small fallen trees are laid horizontally along the stream bank and anchored in place to prevent erosion. The trees slow down the flow of water along the back, greatly diminishing the rate of erosion.

Ways to Control River Bank Erosion

1. Clearing vegetation away from the river bank.
2. Flooding.
3. Intense rainfall.
4. River bank saturation from nonriver water.
5. Stream and land use management.
6. River straightening.
7. River redirection around infrastructure or debris in the channel.
8. Characteristics of the river bank soil.

The nature of how a plant roots as well as its growth habit dictate its value as an erosion control plants. Groundcover plants prevent surface erosion. English ivy is a good example of how many plants installed into the slope will bind the surface tightly and cover it all with dense foliage.

Ornamental grasses like mondo, blue fescue, and yellow foxtail are ideal erosion fighters. These low-maintenance plants grow at moderate to fast speeds, thrive in both shade and full sun (depending on the climate), and establish strong, sprawling root systems that give soil staying power.

Steep, sunny slopes are perfect for perennials such as daylilies, creeping phlox, lamb’s ears, stonecrop and a variety of ornamental grasses. A number of woody plants can also serve as good groundcovers, especially creeping juniper, fragrant sumac, bearberry, and Russian arborvitae.