Application:Evaluation of ShearForce™ 10 for replacing rock riprap in high flow areasSite Description:Standard annual/perennial grass and legume mixSilty Clay Loam soilApproximate 4 ft wide channel bottomStream channel gradient bottom gradient approx. 4%Sideslope gradients 5:1 and lessDrainage over 25 acre, over-burdened capOver 8 inches of rainfall from Sept 10 through Nov 29ObjectiveTest application for the InstaTurf ShearForce™ 10 ECTRM at protecting the highly erodible channel soils and evaluate effectiveness as a rock rip rap replacement.OverviewWe installed the InstaTurf ShearForce™ 10 at a coal mine in Indiana in September 2019 to demonstrate the erosion armoring capabilities of the product compared to rock riprap. It was installed over cool season grass mix.Tim Lancaster revisited the site on multiple occasions to see how the ShearForce™ 10 product, unprotected control sections, and rock check dams held up through the winter months. ResultsBy spring 2020, severe erosion and scour had occurred in adjacent and downstream areas not protected with ShearForce™ 10. The ShearForce 10 test section remained solid after a long, very wet winter, whereas the unprotected control sections and riprap structures had failed.By late May 2020, the ShearForce 10 had become fully vegetated, and now acts to permanently reinforce the grasses against future storm flow events.