Debris flows and hillslope debris flows endanger people and property in mountainous regions. Within the framework of integral risk management, structural, organizational, or nature-based protection measures can be used, in addition to the considerations of natural hazards in spatial planning. The short warning times for debris flows and hillslope debris flows as well as their high impact and corresponding destructive forces are an important reason why structural measures must assume an important protective function.
Debris flow and hillslope debris flow protection nets have only been available on the market in Switzerland for a few years and complement the range of possible measures. A characteristic feature of this type of measure is the permeability of the nets, which retain the coarser solids, but allow water and suspended solids to flow through and thus drain the material. In addition to bedload retention, there are other possible applications for net barriers, e.g. for stabilizing the river bed or for redirecting the hazard process. [...]