Erosion control mat system

A method of constructing an erosion control mat, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a mould apparatus that is comprised of a plurality of moulds;
• b) placing a boot in each mould, said boot having a plurality boot anchor posts, a plurality of inclined side panels, a plurality of corners, each side panel having an upper edge, the boot having a lower panel, a boot interior surface, and a boot interior that is receptive of slurried concrete that can be added to the boot interior;
• c) filling each mould including the boot with slurried concrete that sets after a time period to form a plurality of concrete blocks, each block having an upper portion with a plurality of inclined upper side walls, a lower portion with a plurality of inclined lower side walls, a block upper surface, a block lower surface and a block periphery in the form of a block edge where the upper and lower block side walls meet the boot defining a lower portion of the block;
• d) before said time period expires, placing one or more cables or ropes into the moulds so that after the said time period expires, the cable or rope or cables or ropes connect said blocks together to form a block matrix;
• e) forming a connection of the boot to the slurried concrete before the said time period expires with a plurality of said anchor posts extending from said boot to said slurried concrete;
• f) wherein in steps “b” and “e”, said plurality of anchor posts are attached to the interior surface of the boot, some of the anchor posts attached to the side wall panels to enable a connection to be formed between the boot inclined side panels and the block inclined lower side walls;
• g) wherein in steps “b” and “e” some of the anchor posts are attached to the lower panel to enable a connection to be formed between the boot lower panel and the block lower surface.