We found that revegetation was an effective and inexpensive way to stabilize the creek banks. Roots hold the soil together and prevent it from washing away. If given a chance, plants readily grow in a riparian corridor where water is most plentiful during the dry months. Willow revetment construction. The structure of the wall stabilizes the bank until the roots of the growing willows incorporate into the soils.
Willow revetments are inexpensive to build and the raw material is readily available.
We also discovered that ninebark and dogwood will grow from cuttings. Native blackberries and rushes were transplanted. We used a few container plants. To get a sense of what plants are natural and will do well, just look around. But even hearty native species require watering and care their first couple of years.