The stabilized stream crossing was constructed by sloping the stream bank at a 5:1 grade and digging 10 inches below the stream level. Sand was spread 3 inches deep over the area and secured with geotextile fabric and rebar. Four sheets of 6-inch deep geocell were then laid over the fabric and filled with rock. In total, 10 inches of gravel was used to create the 16-foot wide stabilized stream crossing at a cost of $363.

1. The stabilized stream crossing has been
sloped 5:1 and dug 10 inches below the level
of the stream.

2. Sand is then hauled in.

3. The sand is shown here after it has been
spread, 3 inches deep.

4. Geotextile fabric (8 mil) is next placed on the
sand. We used rebar with washers welded on
top to secure the fabric in place. The rebar is
driven into the ground on all corners and on the
upstream edge.

5. The geotextile fabric is shown here in place.

6. Next we put down four sheets of geocell. The
geocell is 6 inches deep and comes in 8' x 20'
honeycomb sheets. Notice that the corners
are held in place by temporary rebar driven into
the ground.

7. Rock is then hauled in and
dumped onto the geocell.
It fills the honeycomb
structure and remains in
place. Before the tractor
drives over the recenty
filled section of geocell, the
rebar is removed to prevent
puncturing the tires.

8. The gravel (10 inches) is now in place. Total
cost for a 16-foot wide stream crossing point
was $363. Cost-share assistance and
technical information about how to construct
stabilized stream crossings may be available
through the local NRCS office.