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![]() General Principles of Erosion Protection 
If impermeable dikes are constructed of a material such as stone, which will launch 
into a developing scour hole, the size of the scour hole will tend to be self-limiting. However, 
impermeable dikes are often less effective in inducing deposition than permeable dikes, and 
are likely to produce more concentrated flows and higher velocities locally, which tends to 
offset the positive effect of self-launching. 
6.3.2.6 Retards 
For rigid retards, such as non-adjustable fencing or piling, some designers assume 
that the impedance to flow provided by the structure, and subsequent landward deposition 
of sediment, will prevent toe scour from endangering bank stability. Thus they make no 
specific provision for limiting toe scour. This approach is sometimes successful, but it is not 
recommended unless the following conditions are met: 
Pile penetration and size are designed for the condition of maximum predicted 
scour; 
The structure will be monitored frequently and reinforced if necessary; 
Suspended sediment load of the stream is large, so that deposition behind the 
structure is likely to occur; and 
The distance from the toe of the bank to the structure is at least twice the 
predicted scour depth. 
One of the following approaches may be more efficient and effective: 
Locate the retards in a trench excavated to the predicted scour depth; 
Install a self-launching toe section of stone or other material; and 
Secure a flexible mattress to the riverward side of the retards 
Flexible retard designs, such as jacks, tire-posts, and trees, allow part; or all of the 
retard structure itself to displace downward as scour occurs. Use of this technique requires 
secure connections between retard units and between the retard structure and the landward 
anchors, or extra penetration of piling, depending on the specific design. Allowance must be 
made in selecting retard height so that the downward displacement will not leave the upper 
bank exposed to significant erosion during high flows. Otherwise, it may be necessary to 
maintain the work by placing additional units on top as the originals units displace downward. 
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