PROBLEM
Erosion in an urban region, similar to many in most parts of Brazil. This area was a temporary storage site during the construction of a highway. Recovery required re-sloping, drainage and planting grass. Three years later the site already had erosion gullies that increased certainly due to drainage failure and lack of adequate plant covering. It has reached the maximum degradation stage, with sediment carriage to the highway and the adjoining waterway. The view showed general erosion.

SOLUTION
The failure of previously used techniques led to a choice based on Bioengineering Techniques. The project specified upland drainage, sediment anchorage, filling of empty spaces and surface protection and covering with anti-erosion biodegradable blankets. The following steps were followed to avoid earth movement:

1. Anchoring the sediment:
Wood palisades and Bermalonga® were used to avoid soil loss and to retain sediment. Palisades are rounded wook parts placed vertically on the ground. These were installed in areas of greater sediment flow at the narowest points.

2. Building the drainage system:
The system included a Sintemax Screen® 400TF covered 1.20x0.20m canal and two concrete covered 0.50x0.50x0.50m water drainage canals in steps.

3. Filling in the empty spaces:
Spacs were filled with Bermalonga® D40 type sediment retainers. With a more regular surface, the resulting soil was anchored to the palisades, covering the Bermalonga® applied in the concavities.

4. Protecting and covering:
The final surface was protected with hydrosowing techniques and a Biotextile Screen® 500BP anti-erosion biodegradable blanket.

RESULT
Three years later there is no erosion or sediment carriage. Vegetation is developing, reaching various soil strata that adds deeper protection. Gains are visible, demonstrating the efficiency of the method. This method also has lower costs compared to traditional engineering techniques.