Shoreline Erosion Control

Shoreline erosion is one of the most common forms of erosion. It is naturally occurring and can be accelerated by variables such as stormwater runoff, wind, water level fluctuations, ice forming melting and moving, human foot traffic, and fish and animals burrowing to name a few. These processes grind and displace sediment, eating away at the existing shoreline. Over time this process gets exponentially worse and can cause serious problems for homeowners, community members, and golf courses alike.

Problems

Property Value

As shoreline Erosion eats away at the adjacent land it has a massive effect on property value. It has been noted that just one foot of shoreline erosion on a 100 foot lot can account for losses in total property value over $9000. In our experiences we have found most erosion issues to be much more severe. In some cases water bodies have encroached over 15 feet in a matter of a couple years. This presents major issues for homes built close to water. If the erosion is not addressed quickly it can cause a slew of other problems.

Structural damage

Erosion will not stop at your backyard. If an erosion problem is not addressed it can creep closer and closer to the structures of your property, eventually compromising houses, sheds, trees, roads, decks, pools etc. When buying a property, an easy way to see if erosion is a problem is if there are trees hanging over the edge of the water. Typically, these trees were originally straight up and down. As erosion eats away at the shoreline the trees lose their foundation and begin to lean over into the water before falling in completely.

Safety

Erosion also causes many safety concerns. An eroded shoreline can be very steep and dangerous. Also, oftentimes erosion will undermine a shoreline from below leaving the vegetation on top. We hear of many cases of unsuspecting pedestrians or workers falling through these undermined areas, causing injury or bodily harm. These injuries can lead to costly lawsuits for communities, HOA’s, Hotels, and Golf courses. It is better to address the erosion early rather than waiting for one of these issues to occur and having to fix it later anyway.

Water Quality

As erosion eats away at a shoreline it also compromises the vegetation along that shoreline. This vegetation serves to filter nutrients such as fertilizers from stormwater runoff before entering the water body. With less vegetation, more of these nutrients are able to enter the water. Excess nutrients in a Lake or pond can lead to severe problems like eutrophication. Eutrophication is caused by algal blooms that feed off of these excess nutrients. As these algal blooms form and become more prevalent they can choke off sunlight from entering the water and therefore decrease oxygen in the water produced by photosynthesis. This decrease in oxygen can lead to issues like dead zones and large fish kills. 

Aesthetics

A eutrophic lake or pond is a nasty looking eyesore. Erosion will also cause terrible looking imperfections, and swales along a shoreline. Compromised trees and structures are not exactly picturesque either. These few examples can seriously compromise the aesthetics of your Lakes, ponds, and beaches, which is just another reason why you should address your erosion issue immediately.

Solutions

Our rigorously tested solution halts erosion, provides an environmentally friendly medium for vegetation to grow and prevents any of the previously listed problems from arising in the future. Our bioengineered living shorelines integrate with the existing shoreline and provides a powerful defense against the forces of nature.