The Kenmare Bioengineering Project, commissioned by Kerry County Council, focused on addressing severe erosion issues along the River Finney in Kenmare town. This project contained significant challenges due to its proximity to residential properties and ecological sensitivities such as the presence of invasive species, high quality salmon spawning habitats and an endangered freshwater pearl mussel population.
Over the course of a month, the project team designed and installed a bioengineered structure. An excavator was onsite, however, the majority of the work was done by hand, minimising the impact on the natural environment. As the summer progressed, the woven willows took root, and the structure sprouted, becoming a shield of roots and branches.
Erosion at the site has been stabilised, and the structure continues to go from strength to strength, as the roots take hold and the living structure grows to bind the bank together. The project not only succeeded in preventing further erosion but also demonstrated resilience, withstanding flood after flood, while maintaining its integrity. A fine example of how the traits of nature can be used to achieve an engineering outcome.
