Evaluation and Proposal of New Works of Natural Engineering for Stabilization of River Slopes of the Taquari River in Estrela, RS

Abstract

The Lagoa Park, located in the lower course of the Taquari River has been an experimental site for the application of biotechnical models that aim to stabilize and revegetate river slopes susceptible to erosive processes. This paper aims to evaluate geotechnical, ecological, economic and aesthetic attributes of natural engineering techniques implemented in the park area in 2010. Based on the diagnosis of these biotechnical interventions, a revegetation and stabilization project for river slopes is here proposed, using bioengineering techniques to mitigate the erosive processes and the absence of ciliary vegetation that could lead to the disruption of the Maria Dresch Lagoon. Over the years, the biotechnical models utilized in the park area have matured, having established a vegetative cover that ensuried the stability and protection of the river banks. The technical proposal suggests the use of dredged material from the river navigation channel for remodeling the river slopes and the application of rip-rap, brush mattress and brush layer techniques, as they are viable solutions with low cost and lower environmental impact valuing ecological factors. and landscaped. Natural engineering has shown itself to be an environmentally sustainable alternative, whose results prove its efficiency as a facilitator for riparian vegetation development, and as a tool for correction and reduction of erosive processes along watercourses.