Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations placing rip rap on face of dam-pros and cons

I have rip rap around my small pond. I originally dug a small ditch and placed the first row of rocks and stacked them up the inclined bank. Heavy rains eroded the dirt under the bank and as the water rose above each layer some rocks would slide. I have removed most of the rocks and reinstalled them with concrete. I also installed a concrete border above and below the rip rap. The areas where there are only borders still suffers from erosion during heavy rains.
After the pond was dug I planted grass with the intention of limiting erosion, but the rains were so heavy that became impossible, so the rip rap. I would have used Cecil's method had I been able to secure burlap. If I dug another pond I will bite the bullet and have it shipped from the US.