Instream habitat degradation (wrong!)

Many of the cobbles and boulders for gabion basket fill were taken from the channel, leaving no large boulders in the channel for habitat. This site, a native brook trout stream, used to consist of scattered boulders and many small pools and deep pockets that provided excellent brook trout habitat. The problem may resolve itself over time as stream flow gradually erodes away smaller gravels and leaves boulders and small pools. In contrast, good habitat could be re-established immediately by replacing several clusters of boulders in the channel.