The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 62

Protection by Planting

Protection by Planting.

The foreshore of the Overflow being made quite secure by stone work, all other damage by floods can be checked by placing fascines loaded with stone in the holes and gullies which the floods cut out of the soil, and by planting every part of the Overflow with willows and blackberries. When the low ground is thus overgrown with bushes the sand and silt of floods will be at rested and again overgrown, and thus the land grows higher after each flood, instead of being cut away as it would be if neglected.

At the same time the Relief Channel is slowly cutting its bed deeper, and taking more of the flood water every year. Between these two influences, the danger of the Overflow will be entirely averted.