Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Building a dam Straw blankets???

Got the newly constructed dam, pond border seeded yesterday. Used a "lawn" mix on the crown of the dam down to water level and drilled winter rye over the remaining slope/base of dam area. SO...I've been reading everything possible on here about straw/mulch and was convinced I needed to use a blanket on the crown for erosion control, but more importantly for mulching to keep moisture in.
So, I found some good blankets, a company my contractor uses, called Nancy's Blankets. I need 900 linear feet to get around the pond and the blankets are 16' wide, so by my calculations 1 blanket around the pond should cover the crown and then I can worry about the slope in the spring after I frost seed natives in February. Total cost of 900' of blanket is about $700. I didnt think that was too bad.
So, then my father-in-law comes today, he's a cival engineer and says that's a waste of money and just to spread out straw. I commented on the wind factor and blowing it all over and he says to use a straw tucker to put the straw into the soil. I cant find a straw tucker to rent.
I want to use blankets cause it will be easier and more functional.
What do you guys think?
I need some pond boss firepower when he wonders why I didnt follow his advice.
Thanks in advance.

You could also use hemp or canvas erosion mats.

I'd tell him that you'd like to save money and use the loose straw, but can't find a straw tucker. Have him source it.........

I agree with you about the straw blowing around if not tucked in.

Having been a landscaper for several years I am not a fan of loose straw, most of it will be gone after the first wind storm unless you keep it very wet. I would highly recommend the straw blanket if you can afford it. Another option would be to find out what it would cost to have someone come in and hydro-seed it. If you are going to mow it be sure to pull the nylon webbing up before the grass gets too long or you will be pulling it out of your mower blades.

A local pond owner here used loose straw and it all blew into his pond clogging his overflow. The pond then overflowed and eroded his dam. The whole ordeal ended up costing him $$$$ in dam repairs and he had to start over again with his seeding. He used straw blanket the second time around.