Self-anchoring fiber block system

A fiber block segment for use in a fiber block system for stabilizing a shoreline or waterway bank, comprising:

• A. an elongated fiber block defining:
• i. a top surface,
• ii. a bottom surface,
• iii. a soil side surface,
• iv. a water side surface,
• v. a male end portion, and
• vi. a female end portion disposed generally opposite the male end portion;
• and
• B. a sheet of fabric attached to the fiber block that:
• i. extends from the fiber block to a free bottom end to define a bottom anchoring portion, and
• ii. extends from the female end portion of the fiber block to define a female mating portion.

A method of stabilizing a shoreline or waterway bank, comprising the steps of:

• A. positioning a first fiber block segment adjacent the shoreline or waterway bank, the first fiber block segment, comprising:
• i. an elongated first fiber block defining:
• a. a first top surface,
• b. a first bottom surface,
• c. a first soil side surface,
• d. a first water side surface,
• e. a first male end portion, and
• f. a first female end portion disposed generally opposite the first male end portion;
• ii. a first sheet of fabric attached to the first fiber block that:
• a. substantially covers the first top surface, the first water side surface, the first bottom surface, and the first soil side surface,
• b. extends from the first fiber block to a first free bottom end to define a first bottom anchoring portion, and
• c. extends from the first female end portion of the first fiber block to define a first female mating portion;
• B. positioning a second fiber block segment adjacent the shoreline or waterway bank, the second fiber block segment, comprising:
• i. an elongated second fiber block defining:
• a. a second top surface,
• b. a second bottom surface,
• c. a second soil side surface,
• d. a second water side surface,
• e. a second male end portion, and
• f. a second female end portion disposed generally opposite the second male end portion;
• ii. a second sheet of fabric attached to the second fiber block that:
• a. substantially covers the second top surface, the second water side surface, the second bottom surface, and the second soil side surface,
• b. extends from the second fiber block to a second free bottom end to define a second bottom anchoring portion, and
• c. extends from the second female end portion of the second fiber block to define a second female mating portion;
• and
• C. mating the second male end portion to the first female end portion;
• D. driving a wedge through the first bottom anchoring portion into the soil underlying the first bottom anchoring portion;
• and
• E. covering the first bottom anchoring portion and the second bottom anchoring portion with soil.