ARTIFICIAL/MODIFIED PROFILES

The same modifications to banks noted in Section E are also included here, and as for ‘unmodified banks’, all the different resectioned and reinforced profiles on the left and right banks should be recorded in the appropriate columns. This is the only place where the occurrences of embankments set back from the bank are recorded.


All modifications to banks are summarized here.


Resectioned (reprofiled)

Bank profile modified, often to accommodate flood flow, flood defence or other maintenance machinery. Recent re-profiling will produce a relatively smooth, uniformly angled, bank slope. See Section E; Bank Modifications. Only record in the sweep-up if not accompanied by whole bank reinforcement.


A resectioned river with a vegetated berm alongside


Reinforced bank

Whole or part of bank artificially strengthened for bank protection purposes. Examples include concrete, sheet piling, corrugated iron, wood piling, gabion, brick/laid stone, rip-rap and builders’ waste (see descriptions of above in G: Bank Materials). For sweep-up purposes, bank reinforcements are differentiated into three categories to indicate their vertical extent: (i) whole bank; (ii) top only; (iii) toe only.

                                   Reinforced bank - left bank 'whole' & right bank 'top only'                                                Reinforced bank - toe only


Artificial two-stage channel – berm formation through:

A - bank excavation B - channel infill



Artificial two-stage channel 

Typically this is where one or both banks have been excavated laterally into the floodplain to create a shelf above dry-weather flow (see Figure I1). Also included are shelves constructed in previously widened channels to create narrower low-flow channels. Water spills over the second (normally dry) stage shelves during high flows. These are constructed features.

Do not confuse with side bars (see side bars).


Poached bank

Bank significantly trampled or puddled by livestock. Include banks trampled as a result of human activity such as picnic spots, canoe access points, and fishing spots dug into the bank.


Poached bank


Embanked

Artificial embankment created to increase the banktop height. Only recorded here when it forms an integral part of the bank. Do not include embankments set back from the immediate banktop; these are recorded as set-back embankments (below).


Set-back embankment

Artificial embankment or earth bund designed to increase flood capacity but set back from the river channel and forming a distinct floodplain landscape feature.

Set-back earth embankment on right