Why Are Old Cars Embedded in Kentucky Creek Banks?

I saw an image that, at first, I thought was AI-generated. (See where we are now?) But I tracked it down and, in the process, learned something about streambank stabilization and erosion control.

No wait...don't run off. I get it, I get it.

Here, let me show you what I'm talking about before you think we're about to get too deep in the "geology class" weeds.

There. Now wouldn't any set of eyes at least give that a double-take? Well, mine did and then some. I headed to Google and searched "cars embedded in creek banks in Kentucky," and I learned about a practice that was used to shore up creek and river banks. That photo was taken in eastern Kentucky about five years ago, but the method known as riprapping is much older. You've actually seen it, and probably quite a few times.

Photo by Frederick Rosa on Unsplash

Yes, Old Cars Were Really Used as Riprap

I had no idea that even had a name, but now I do, all because I went looking for an explanation for those old beaters. By the way, using vehicles instead of rocks for the job is called "Detroit riprap," and you can certainly see why.

Detroit Riprap Wasn't Just a Kentucky Thing

But that's not a one-off nickname inspired by the image above. According to the Nebraska State Historical Society, "Detroit riprapping" was a common practice in the mid-20th century and was used along the Cornhusker State's Loup River.

I've also found an example of "Detroit riprapping" in Washington State.

Is it still in practice today, though? That would be a firm "no," according to hotrod.com, which credits the Clean Water Act of 1972 with bringing the use of old cars as riprap to an end.

As for heading out into eastern Kentucky to see if you can find THAT example or others like it? I wish you well. The locations aren't exactly documented.