U.S. patent application number 13/745030 was filed with the patent office on 2014-07-24 for aquatic wildlife deterrent.
The applicant listed for this patent is Neil L. McClure. Invention is credited to Neil L. McClure.
Application Number | 20140205381 13/745030 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51207803 |
Filed Date | 2014-07-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140205381 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McClure; Neil L. |
July 24, 2014 |
AQUATIC WILDLIFE DETERRENT
Abstract
A wildlife deterrent for preventing waterfowl egress from bodies
of water, said wildlife deterrent consisting of a sheet material,
attachment and securing means, where the sheet material is secured
in proximity to the shoreline of the body of water.
Inventors: |
McClure; Neil L.; (Longmont,
CO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
McClure; Neil L. |
Longmont |
CO |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51207803 |
Appl. No.: |
13/745030 |
Filed: |
January 18, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
405/26 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01G 13/10 20130101;
E02B 3/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
405/26 |
International
Class: |
E02B 3/04 20060101
E02B003/04 |
Claims
1. An aquatic barrier for waterfowl, comprising: a buoyant sheet
material, and means for securing the buoyant sheet material for
deployment of the sheet material in water proximate to a
shoreline.
2. The barrier of claim 1, wherein the sheet material has
predetermined buoyancy such that the sheet material is capable of
floating to present an upper surface at least coincident with the
surface level of the body of water.
3. The barrier of claim 1, wherein the sheet material is porous
allowing water to pass through it to provide wave damping
action.
4. The barrier of claim 1, wherein the sheet material presents a
plurality of flaps capable of providing wave damping action.
5. The barrier of claim 1, wherein the means for securing includes
an anchor pin presenting a smooth exterior surface such that the
sheet material may ride up and down commensurate with wave action
when the sheet material is deployed in water.
6. The barrier of claim 5, wherein the means for securing further
comprises a reinforced attachment point in the sheet material.
7. The barrier of claim 1, wherein the sheet material is
constructed and arranged in a plurality of rectangular blocks as
deployed, and the means for securing presents a generally concave
structure following a shoreline.
8. The barrier of claim 1, wherein the sheet material is
constructed and arranged in a plurality of rectangular blocks as
deployed, and the means for securing presents a generally convex
structure following a shoreline.
9. The barrier of claim 1, wherein the sheet material consists
essentially of a closed cell foam provided with connective
structure for coupling the closed cell foam with the securing
means.
10. The barrier of claim 1, wherein the sheet material comprises a
combination of natural fibers and netting.
11. The barrier of claim 10, wherein the netting is used as part of
the securing means.
12. The barrier of claim 10, wherein closed cell foam is added to
the combination of natural fiber and netting.
13. The barrier of claim 12, wherein the netting is used as part of
the securing means.
14. The barrier of claim 1, wherein the securing means comprises a
rope coupled to the sheet material and anchors securing the rope to
a shoreline.
15. The barrier of claim 1 deployed floating proximate a shoreline
area that, unless the barrier is deployed, is commonly used as a
pathway for waterfowl egressing from water to land.
16. A method of discouraging waterfowl from ambulating across a
shoreline, comprising: identifying a shoreline proximate waterfowl
habitat; and deploying the barrier of claim 1 with the sheet
material floating in the water and anchored proximate the
shoreline.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of identifying
includes ascertaining a presence of goose feces along the
shoreline, and the quality of water is improved by a reduction of
waterborne fecal material as a result of the step of deploying the
barrier.
18. The method of claim 16, further comprising a step of
identifying the shoreline as one in need of erosion control and
wherein erosion of the shoreline is reduced in consequence of the
step of deploying the barrier.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein the sheet material is
constructed from materials that decomposes and releases a natural
algal growth inhibitor that serves to improve the water quality of
a body of water.
20. The method of claim 16, wherein the sheet material is treated
with a substance prior to deployment and the substance provides
beneficial biological reaction that results in improved water
quality.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field
[0002] The present disclosure pertains to methods and apparatus
generally relating to the field of deterrents for nuisance
wildlife. More specifically, the present methods and apparatus are
directed toward preventing waterfowl from egressing water features
which, otherwise, leads to nuisance issues as they graze and
defecate on the surrounding grounds.
[0003] 2. Statement of the Problem
[0004] Human-animal conflicts and nuisance situations continue to
increase around the world and the impact ranges from property
damage to bodily injury including fatalities. Conflicts and/or
nuisance conditions with federally protected migratory birds have
dramatically increased as their population in the United States
continues to grow at an alarming rate. By way of example, the
Canada goose (Branta canadensis) population in North America was
estimated at 1.1 million birds in the 1940s. Today, the population
has increased to over 6 million birds in the United States alone,
many of which no longer migrate during the spring and fall. With
this increase also comes an increase in human-goose conflicts.
Throughout the country, large populations of resident Canada geese
are often considered a nuisance and potential health risk because
they foul land and water with their droppings. Recent studies have
found bacteria strains associated with human disease in Canada
goose feces. Each year thousands of golf courses, parks, airports,
backyards, sports fields and even cemeteries are inundated with
goose droppings. Golf courses have reported that as many as 10,000
geese invade their course a day, leaving behind as much as 30,000
pounds of droppings. Although many communities want a reduction in
resident goose nuisance problems, the use of lethal control of
geese is not an acceptable option. Addressing the conflict or
nuisance situations generally requires an integrated approach
involving multiple mitigation strategies to effectively reduce the
impact of the animals in a humane manner.
[0005] A favored habitat for waterfowl and specifically Canada
geese, are water features (ponds and lakes) surrounded by grass
landscapes. This coincides with the predominate design of parks,
golf courses, commercial business developments and common areas of
residential subdivisions. Typical water feature designs for these
locations have open or unobstructed shorelines to optimize the
visibility of water and other reasons to support their intended
use, such as to create a suitable golf course hazard.
Unfortunately, this makes it impractical to introduce any
mitigation or deterrent strategies because the open shoreline
permits easy egress for the waterfowl from any point around the
shoreline. Many methods have attempted to deter the birds with no
success and are either impractical given the amount of shoreline,
are unsightly or inhibit the intended use of the area.
[0006] Chemical deterrents are expensive, require repeated
application to large areas and have proven to have had limited
effectiveness. Fake coyotes or other predator effigies have also
proven to be ineffective even when moved frequently as recommended
by the manufacturers. Vertical fencing has been used around water
feature shorelines but is unsightly, causes ground maintenance
issues and creates a new hazard for both people and animals. New
deterrent devices have proven effective at deterring geese, such as
the Goose Guardian, manufactured by TKO Enterprises, Inc., of
Boulder County, Colo. (www.gooseguardian.com), but the open
shorelines make it impractical to deploy such devices around the
entire perimeter of the water feature. Furthermore, in the case of
golf courses, the boundaries of the course most often coincide with
the water feature shoreline so the device would need to be placed
in fair territory, detracting from the game and irritating players.
There is a need to provide an acceptable and effective waterfowl
deterrent that prevents or limits egress points around a water
feature to function on a standalone basis or in cooperation with
other wildlife deterrents.
[0007] Wildlife barriers generally constitute fences or other
land-based barriers to inhibit wildlife passage. Examples of such
barriers include U.S. Pat. No. 6,113,076 by Hancock-Bogese, et al,
titled "Wildlife Barrier", where the inventors disclose a plastic
sheet for fences so that animals cannot climb and, U.S. Pat. No.
5,934,651 by Koljonen, titled "Wildlife Barrier," shows a fence for
preventing alligators and turtles from crossing a boundary between
two (land-based) areas. Floating barriers generally relate to
containment of contaminates for such events as oil spins. Most
barriers float vertically to rise out of the water, such as U.S.
Pat. No. 5,480,262, issued to Russo, III, tilted "Oil Containment
boom" or, "Floating fence for the collection of liquid impurities
as for example oil on a water surface", U.S. Pat. No. 4,272,214
issued to Nyfeldt, et al.
[0008] Some erosion-control devices are anchored off-shore. U.S.
Pat. No. 4,770,561 issued to Holmberg, titled "Shoreline erosion
control devices" discloses a device that is anchored near the
shoreline. This device floats vertically and is deployed
perpendicular to the shore in order to inhibit shore currents. U.S.
Pat. No. 4,657,433 to Holmberg, titled "Shoreline erosion control
mat and method of use therefor" discloses a mat with pockets that
is anchored below the surface of the water, where the pockets
collect sediment from wave action to build up the shore. None of
these documents contemplate wildlife deterrence, and would not be
suitable for the purpose regardless.
[0009] One wildlife deterrent for water is a commercial product
used for industrial waste ponds where the ponds are covered with
floating plastic balls, such as those manufactured by Advanced
Water Treatment Technologies, LLC of The Dalles, Oreg. This product
is advertised for heat retention and wildlife deterrent and states
when the balls cover the pond, birds do not recognize it as water
so the birds never land. This deterrent differs in that it prevents
birds from landing rather than egress from the water. Covering a
pond with these plastic balls requires 10 balls per square foot so
a pond that is 100 feet by 100 feet requires 100,000 balls. While
this may be a practical solution for industrial applications with a
secure perimeter, this is completely impractical for parks, golf
courses and other public areas, not to mention its rejection by the
patrons for esthetic reasons.
[0010] Wildlife deterrence generally requires an integrated
approach that combines one or more methods be employed to
effectively reduce the human-animal conflict. In the case of
waterfowl and geese in particular, there is a need to provide a
method and apparatus to restrict egress from water features in a
humane and esthetically acceptable manner.
SUMMARY
[0011] The present disclosure overcomes the problems with
unobstructed shorelines outlined above by providing an unobtrusive,
effective and humane water feature shoreline barrier that prevents
waterfowl egress from water features. The disclosed system and
method consists of a sheet material with attachment points that is
secured in proximity to the shoreline of a body of water. The sheet
material has sufficient buoyancy to remain about the surface of the
water and extends outward from the shoreline and parallel to the
water surface to provide a wildlife deterrent that effectively
inhibits waterfowl egress from the body of water.
[0012] In one embodiment, an aquatic barrier for waterfowl is made
of a buoyant sheet material that can be deployed proximate a
shoreline. As deployed, the sheet material is secured or anchored
to the shoreline by use of stakes, pins, or other anchors buried in
the earth.
[0013] In one aspect, a rope, such as a wire rope or fiber rope,
may be clamped to the sheet material and deployed permitting the
sheet material to follow generally the contour of a shoreline.
[0014] The sheet material is, alternatively staked in a fashion to
present a generally concave or convex configuration that follows
the shoreline. In one aspect, the stakes may present a smooth outer
surface, such that the sheet material rides up and down on the
stakes in consequence of wave action in the water.
[0015] In one aspect, the deployed sheet material protects the
shoreline from erosion. This function may be facilitated by the
action of flaps in the sheet material or porosity that allows water
to pass through the sheet material.
[0016] In one aspect, the deployed sheet material includes
materials in its construction that provide beneficial microbial and
supporting nutrients that improve the water quality where the
waterfowl barrier is deployed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 shows a sheet material in continuous form that may be
adapted for use as a wildlife barrier as described herein;
[0018] FIG. 2 shows an alternate embodiment of the sheet material
in sectional form;
[0019] FIGS. 3a-c show an elevation profile view of the sheet
material detailing acceptable buoyancy characteristics of sheet
material when deployed on a shoreline, wherein FIG. 3a shows
buoyancy at a first level, FIG. 3b shows buoyancy at a second
level, and FIG. 3c shows buoyancy at a third level;
[0020] FIG. 4 shows the roll form of the sheet material in shipping
configuration;
[0021] FIG. 5 shows structure for securing the sheet material to
the shoreline according to one embodiment;
[0022] FIGS. 6a and 6b show the sheet material in the deployed
configuration according to respective embodiments;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a level drawing of the preferred embodiment in the
deployed configuration.
[0024] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8' of
FIG. 5.
[0025] FIGS. 9a-d show alternate embodiments for joining sheet
material sections, wherein FIG. 9a shows a first embodiment FIG. 9b
shows a second embodiment, FIG. 9c shows a third embodiment, and
FIG. 9d shows a fourth embodiment.
[0026] FIG. 10 is a system level drawing showing the deployed
configuration of the sheet material alternate embodiment of FIG.
2.
[0027] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11'-11'
of FIG. 1.
[0028] FIG. 12 is an elevation profile view of the sheet material
subjected to wave action when deployed in a body of water.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] FIG. 1 shows a sheet material 102 that may be used according
to the instrumentalities described herein. The sheet material 102
may be made of a variety of materials, including a combination of
different materials, to achieve the desired performance parameters
described herein. The preferred embodiment has the sheet material
102 constructed from barley straw, wheat or rice chaff, coconut
fiber, jute or other organic material that may be fashioned into a
sheet-like form, in combination with a variety of methods that
permit the organic material to retain its sheet-like shape. By way
of example, the organic material may be formed into a sheet
material using photo biodegradable netting, organic and plastic
netting, geo-textile or other fabric material, weaving or sewing
with suitable thread or a combination of these techniques. Examples
of this type of material may be purchased on commercial order, such
as the material found in erosion control mats including products
manufactured by Granite Environmental of Sebastian, Fla. Other
methods are contemplated by using a liquid binding agent that cures
to form an organic sheet material.
[0030] The netting along edge 104 provides attachment points
through which stakes or anchors (not shown) may be placed for
securing the sheet material 102 in place on a shoreline. For
additional floatation and stiffness, foam strips 364, 374 may be
optionally added at intervals oriented in parallel or
perpendicularly to the edge 104. Additional layers may be
optionally added, for example, as shown below in FIG. 11. By way of
example, an additional layer of organic material followed by a
layer of netting may complete a layered construction. This layered
configuration is then bound together using a variety of suitable
means, such as stitching, weaving, heat staking, bound underlayer
or other methods similar to cable ties or baling wire. The layered
configuration may also be bound using a liquid binding agent that,
once cured, adheres the components together. The binding method is
applied such that the foam inserts 364, 374 are captured in place
so they remain in their selected positions.
[0031] FIG. 2 provides an alternate embodiment where the sheet
material or mat 202 is constructed from non-organic materials, such
as polyurethane foam, closed cell foam, other foam forms, nylon,
polyester, various forms of rubber, or any other fabric like
material with suitable sheet-like characteristics. In particular,
polyethylene foam has a very low water absorption rate, remains
flexible over a wide range of temperatures and has high tensile
characteristic to resist tearing. The foam is commercially
available in roll form down to thicknesses of 1/8'' that provides
sufficient buoyance at a favorable cost. Other foams are possible
but closed-cell polyethylene foam offers the preferred solution. A
reinforced edge 210 on the long dimension 208 includes attachment
points 212, which may further be coupled at adjacent edges 214.
Further alternate embodiments for sheet material 202 include
construction from plastics, wood products, rubber or any other
material that may be fashioned into a sheet-like form to achieve
the desired performance parameters described herein. The preferred
embodiment of the sheet material however, is made of a recyclable
material and has the quality of a "green" product, which minimizes
its impact on the environment.
[0032] The sheet material 102, 202 is buoyant and preferably
flexible enough to mirror the contour of the water surface and
remain semi-submerged at the surface level given its buoyancy
characteristics or specific gravity, as shown in FIG. 3a-c. In FIG.
3a, sheet material 312, which for example may be sheet material 102
or 202, is bisected by the water surface 310 such that a first
portion 314 of the sheet material 312 is above the surface of the
water and a second portion 316 is below while the sheet material
remains in proximity to shoreline 305. Utilizing partial water
saturation of the sheet material assists in maintaining it in its
deployed position and minimizes the attachment and installation
requirements. This semi-submerged state allows the material to be
as unobtrusive as possible and resistant to wind shear that could,
otherwise, flip the sheet material over onto the shore to become
ineffective as a shoreline barrier.
[0033] FIG. 3b shows another embodiment where the top plane 330 of
sheet material 312 is coincident with the water surface 310, which
is also an acceptable condition. In the embodiment of FIG. 3c, the
bottom plane 332 of sheet material 312 is coincident with the water
surface, which is less desirable however, it provides an acceptable
condition provided the sheet material 312 is constructed with the
appropriate materials of sufficient weight that wind shear will not
flip it out of the water and onto the shore 305. A weighting
material, such as sand or crushed rock, may also be added during
manufacture of foam products to vary the density for the various
flotation depths as described above in accordance with Archimedes'
principle of buoyancy. Other construction options include using
nylon bird netting that is stretched tight and selectively coated
with spray on foam that adheres to the netting or, closed cell foam
in combination with a cotton or polyester batting adhered or
stitched together. By way of example, in this configuration the
foam provides the buoyancy for the sheet material to remain on or
near the surface and the batting becomes saturated with water to
provide the ballast to the sheet material to hold it in place when
subjected to wind shear or surface disruption. When using the
preferred organic material, it may be required to add additional
components to maintain the required buoyance over extended periods
of time as the organic material becomes fully saturated with
water.
[0034] To accomplish this according to one embodiment, the present
disclosure contemplates a layered construction of the sheet
material as given in FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of
sheet material 102 taken along line 11'-11' of FIG. 1. FIG. 11
shows the sheet material construction consisting of a first layer
of netting 1100, followed by a layer of organic material 1104,
where the spacing between the components in the figure are
exaggerated for clarity. Next is a strip of foam 1106 that provides
additional buoyance, where the preferred foam material is of the
closed cell type, such as polyethylene foam. The layered
configuration of the sheet material 102 may be assembled as
individual cut sheets forming the respective layers 1104, 1106,
1107 shown in FIG. 11, or else the sheet material 102 is optionally
folded 1110 to form layers 1104, 1107 while encasing the foam
insert 1106. The same binding methods can be used for either
assembly technique.
[0035] In the intended environment of use, sheet material 102/202
is designed to lay flat about the surface of a body of water 310,
and parallel to and in close proximity to the shoreline 305. Sheet
material 102/202 provides attachment points along edge 104 as an
integral feature that preferably is an aperture made in the sheet
without the need for additional support around the aperture. The
attachment points along edge 104 and 212 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) may be
limited to a single side of the sheet material 102, 202, along one
of the long dimensional 104, 208 edges. It is contemplated however,
that in different embodiments the attachment points may be provided
along the other edges including both long dimensional 104, 208
edges and/or on either of the short side dimensions 214. The
attachment point 212 as shown through edge 104 is identified for
illustrative purposes since the preferred embodiment allows for
attachment points to be anywhere along sheet material 102, either
using existing features created during manufacturing or by piercing
the sheet material 102, 202 at the time the sheet material is
installed.
[0036] In one embodiment, the sheet material 102/202 is fabricated
as a continuous roll form that is about twenty-four (24) inches
wide in the short dimension 214. The roll may be cut to particular
lengths for shoreline coverage, depending on the shoreline
configuration. Other widths are contemplated, with the width being
a function of composition, manufacturability and performance, as an
effective waterfowl barrier as described herein. FIG. 4 shows a
rolled configuration 430 of the continuous form of the sheet
material that has been cut into a convenient length and rolled up
for shipment and delivery. Example lengths of 430 include 25, 50 or
100 foot rolls, where the final roll length is a function of
weight, size and customer choice. Alternately, the continuous
manufactured roll form of the sheet material may be cut into
shorter section lengths for shipment and delivery, such as 4, 8 or
16 foot sections as shown by 202 in FIG. 2 and either rolled or
stacked in bundles.
[0037] The sheet material 102/202 may be secured to the shoreline
305 by multiple means, as described below. FIG. 5 shows one such
embodiment where cable clamps 533, 534 are positioned along edges
104 or 210 (See FIGS. 1 and 2). A rope, wire, elastic cord or other
line material 545 is fed through the cable clamps 533/534, for
example, as shown in cross-section in FIG. 8. Fastener 836 connects
the cable clamp 534 to the sheet material 102. FIG. 7 shows the
deployment for this configuration, where the line material 545 is
placed under tension when connected to anchors 738/740 along the
length of the sheet material 102. As shown in FIG. 7, the anchors
738/740 are approximately tangential to the shoreline 305, thereby
accommodating minor or random directional changes corresponding to
variations in the shoreline 305. This approach has the advantage of
quick installation and removal for an area where the shoreline 305
is used by people during portion of the day for egress to and from
the water, such as a beach or other recreational area.
[0038] Depending on the selected sheet material 102, 202, a variety
of methods are possible for providing attachment points. The
preferred embodiment is where the production of the sheet material
102 and the material(s) used to fabricate it results in the
formation of attachment points along one of the long-dimensional
edges 104, 208. For example, when netting 1100 is used in
combination to form an organic sheet material as given in FIG. 11,
the netting 1100 may extend beyond the organic material 1104 along
one of the long dimensional 208 edges to form a continuous sequence
of possible attachment points. A stake-anchor 620 may be used to
secure the sheet material using attachment points, such as
attachment point 212, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 6a and 6b.
Alternately, if the sheet material 202 consists of a solid surface
and has sufficient structural integrity, then the anchor 620 may
penetrate directly through the sheet material 102/202 without
reinforcement. Holes for this may be made either at the time of
manufacture or during installation of the sheet material 102/202 in
the field by piercing the sheet material as it is being
installed.
[0039] For use where the selected sheet material 102/202 does not
have sufficient structural integrity or rigidity to withstand the
combined stress of surface disturbances and other environmental
forces relative to its weight, including any water saturated
portions, FIG. 6b shows a grommet-reinforced attachment point 212
in the sheet material 202. For example, if the selected sheet
material is an open cell foam, given its weight when partially
saturated with water, the attachment points are likely to require
grommet reinforcement as shown in FIG. 6b by attachment point 212.
This reinforcement is alternatively accomplished by bonding or
stitching a fabric, vinyl or other similar material to the sheet
material 102/202 for additional structural integrity in the area
where the attachment point 212 is located. This may either be a
localized addition to the sheet material 202 or may be added to the
entire long dimension 208 where the attachment points 212 are
located. If additional structural integrity is desired, the
reinforcement material may be added to the entire perimeter of the
sheet material and/or bisect its central region.
[0040] Securing the sheet material 102/202 in proximity to the
shoreline 305 requires a component of the system and method to be
fixed to the earth, which is hereinafter referred to as a securing
means, such as stake or pin anchor 620 as shown in FIG. 6. The
anchor 620 is provided by any well-known method for anchoring sheet
material to the earth such as stakes of wood or metal, ground
anchors, submersible weights (i.e. concrete blocks), or other
methods for fixing the sheet material 102/202 in position. The
preferred method is to use metal stakes such as a length of rebar,
landscape stakes, landscape fabric staples or other metal forms
intended to be driven into the ground, as shown by the anchor 620
in FIG. 6.
[0041] In one embodiment, the anchors 620 are smooth rods that have
a smaller diameter than the attachment points, such as grommet 212
so that the attachment points can slide freely along the length of
the anchor 620. The configuration allows the sheet material 102/202
to move freely up and down via the attachment point 212 so that the
sheet material remains about the surface of the water 310 as the
water level changes due to waves or changing volume of the body of
water. This system feature prevents elevation changes of the
weighted sheet material 102, 202 from stressing the attachment
points and causing a premature failure, provided there is
sufficient slack between the anchor points to accommodate this
vertical motion without binding the sheet material 102/202. In the
case of waves impacting the shoreline, the elevation changes
otherwise occur very rapidly and may produce a high level of stress
on the attachment points, such as grommet 212.
[0042] There exist other methods of securing the sheet material
102/202 to a fixed location while permitting the material freedom
of movement to accommodate variations in the level of the water
feature. This includes, for example, a response to surface
disruptions (i.e. waves) without breaking free or damaging the
sheet material 102/202. As shown above, one embodiment is for the
anchor 620 to feed directly through the attachment points 212 to
minimize the complexity and provide the simplest installation. For
example, when using netted organic sheet material with the netting
extending along one edge 104, a length of rod 620 may be inserted
through the netting 1100 and driven into the ground to secure the
sheet material 102 in proximity to the shoreline 305 as shown in
FIG. 6a. Alternate embodiments for connecting the attachment points
212 of the sheet material 102/202 to the anchor 620 include using
baling wire, band clamps, plastic wire ties or similar fastening
methods that pass through the attachment points 212 and connect to
the anchor 620. In another embodiment, using the preferred form of
the sheet material 102, cable clamps 534 may be added to the
attachment points 212 for support of a guy wires, ropes or elastic
cords 545.
[0043] When deploying the preferred form of the sheet material 102
with the preferred continuous sequence of attachment points 212,
the sheet material 430 is un-rolled and set along the shoreline
305. The sheet material 102/202 is slid onto the water surface 310
and secured using a stake for anchor 620 through the extended
netting material 1100 that creates attachment point 212. Stake
anchors 620 may be placed at various points and is preferably
placed at any shoreline features necessitating directional changes
in the layout of sheet material 102/202 so that it remains in
proximity to the shoreline. Proximity includes the sheet material
102/202 attachment edge within a predetermined distance, such as
one foot in either direction from the water's edge, such that the
anchor 620 is on dry land or, the anchor 620 is approximately
within one foot of the water's edge, such that the sheet material
102/202 is floating and the anchor 620 is in the water. In the
latter configuration, the length of anchor 620 that extends above
the surface of the water is greater than the maximum wave height of
the body of water or else the anchor 620 is affixed with a cap that
has a diameter larger than the attachment point 212 to prevent the
sheet material from coming free of the anchor 620.
[0044] As referenced above in FIG. 7, an anchor 738 is used at each
end of the roll form of the sheet material 102/430 and preferably
also at shoreline discontinuities to re-direct the sheet material
102 to remain in proximity to the shoreline 305. Where the
shoreline 305 discontinuities are minor, the sheet material 102 may
absorb the change of direction without modifying the sheet material
102. For larger discontinuities, the sheet material 102 may be cut
so that the sheet material 102 remains flat on the surface of the
water 310. If the discontinuity requires the sheet material 102 to
change directions toward the body of water, which is the
predominate situation for smaller water features, cutting and
re-directing with anchors 740 will cause the sheet material 102/202
to overlap at the discontinuity. If the change of direction is away
from the body of water, a gap will result at the discontinuity. It
is not required to cut all the way through the sheet material 102
such that at least of portion remains contiguous however, in some
instances it may be preferred to cut the sheet material 102
completely and then secure the two sections together using anchor
620.
[0045] The diagrams in FIGS. 9a-d are provided using the alternate
embodiment where the sheet material 202 is produced in shorter,
pre-cut sections rather than roll form. If the sheet material is
provided in, for example, manageable eight foot long sections, it
is contemplated that multiple sheets will be used for a single
installation for effective deterrence of waterfowl. The possible
configurations for this approach are shown in FIG. 9a-d where FIG.
9a diagrams a common shore-side attachment point 212 for shore-line
curvature toward 924 the surface of water 310 or curvature away 925
from the surface of water 310. Similarly, FIG. 9b shows a common
water-side point for curvature toward 926 and away 927 from the
surface of water 310. The configuration of FIG. 9b where the
curvature of the shoreline is away 927 from the surface of the
water 310 requires sheet material 202 to be pierced to support
insertion of anchor 620 (not shown). FIG. 9c presents separate
attachment points 212 for curvature toward 928 and away 929 from
the surface of water 310. Lastly, FIG. 9d shows a butt joint 906
where the sheet material has been trimmed. The sheets may be
overlapped to provide a continuous barrier along the shore or may
be trimmed so that the two ends of the sheet form a butt joint. The
dimensional integrity of the sheets will maintain this butt joint
to form a continuous barrier or alternately, the two ends of the
sheets may be fastened together using well-known methods.
[0046] FIGS. 9a-d also apply to the preferred continuous roll form
of the sheet material 102, for example, in 100 foot sections, and
the sheet material may be cut to specific lengths as may be
required for a particular location. Given the continuous
availability of attachment points 212, the roll form of the sheet
material 102 may be cut to any desired length. The various
embodiments of FIGS. 9a-9d may be used in any combination in a
single installation, as shown by way of example in FIG. 10.
[0047] A further improvement provided by the present disclosure is
where the aquatic waterfowl barrier is used to improve the water
quality of the water feature where it's deployed. Many smaller
water features that attract waterfowl, where they subsequently
create a nuisance in the surrounding terrain, often have water
quality issues. The water quality issues are the result of
extensive waterfowl presence, changing weather conditions and low
rates of fresh water circulation, which results in an accumulation
of organic material and a chemistry imbalance generally related to
algae population. Poor water quality impacts water clarity, stifles
population of other marine animals and often causes the water
feature to emit offensive odors. As mentioned above, barley straw
was identified as a possible organic material for production of the
sheet material 102 and research has shown that as barley straw
decomposes, it emits a natural algal growth inhibitor. There are
organic and inorganic agents that may be introduced to the water
feature to promote the biodegradation process and improve water
quality. One such organic additive treatment is the combination of
beneficial microbial and supporting nutrients, produced by
BioLynceus, LLC in Estes Park, Colo. The proprietary substance is a
combination of materials manufactured by BioLynceus repopulates the
naturally occurring microbes and digestive enzymes in a body of
water to restore the environmental balance necessary for a healthy
ecosystem. The substance consists of live cultures which contain a
composite of micro-organism, (aerobic, facultative and anaerobic),
amino acids, nutrients and polysaccharides. Other combinations are
contemplated and commercially available and any substance that is
non-pathogenic and non-toxic is preferred however, substances that
violate these characteristics are also acceptable. These materials
and others like them may be used to treat the sheet material prior
to installation so that the sheet material will promote the health
of the water feature while deterring waterfowl from egressing
it.
[0048] Yet a further advantage of the present disclosure is
shoreline erosion control through wave dissipation. Using the sheet
material 102 of the preferred embodiment, where the sheet material
102 is constructed from organic material 1104 using netting 1100,
water is able to flow through the material. FIG. 12 shows an
approaching wave 1200, where a portion of the wave volume passes
through the sheet material 102, which dissipates some of the wave
energy and reduces the amount of deflection experienced by the
sheet material 102. FIG. 12 also shows the netting 1100 that forms
attachment point 212 on anchor 620 rising upwardly to relieve the
stress caused by the wave. The use of foam strips 364, 374 layered
between the organic material 1100 and netting 1104 reduces the
volume of water that passes through the sheet material and
contributes to the level of rise upon anchor 620 but, nonetheless,
still dissipates a portion of the incoming wave energy. This action
effectively dampens the wave energy and reduces the shoreline
impact energy thereby providing an effective shoreline erosion
control method.
[0049] In the alternate embodiment, where the sheet material 202 is
constructed from a solid piece of material, such as sheet foam,
semi-circle 225/226 or other shaped vents in the sheet material 202
allows water pass through the sheet to partially dissipate the wave
energy. For example, in the illustrated embodiment of a semi-circle
shape, the curved portion 227 of the shape is cut to form a flap
and the straight side 228 of the semi-circle remains attached to
foam sheet material at a location remote from the edge 210 with the
attachment points 212. Thus, when added to the sheet material, the
straight side 228 of the semi-circle faces toward the surface of
water 310 and the curved part faces toward the shoreline 305. As
the wave arrives at this configuration of the sheet material 202, a
portion of the wave volume passes through the vents and effectively
dissipates a portion of the wave energy. This configuration has
reduced wave damping action compared to the method described above,
but still effectively dampens the wave energy and reduces the
shoreline impact energy thereby providing an effective shoreline
erosion control method.
[0050] Those skilled in the art will understand that the preferred
embodiments, as hereinabove described, may be subjected to apparent
modifications without departing from the true scope and spirit of
the disclosed invention. The inventor, accordingly, hereby state
his intention to rely upon the Doctrine of Equivalents, in order to
protect his full rights in the disclosed invention.
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