Pond Shoreline Stabilization: Create A Living Shoreline

Shoreline erosion is a natural occurrence in our aquatic ecosystems. All lakes and stormwater ponds age, and erosion can speed up this process. Failing shorelines, nutrient pollution, sedimentation, loss of native vegetation, and poor water quality issues are all common problems that result from shoreline erosion.

Despite erosion being a natural part of our ecosystems – it shouldn’t be ignored. When shoreline management is overlooked, unsafe conditions can arise, and property values can tank. Not to mention, erosion can damage surrounding assets like home foundations, stormwater facility structures, or irrigation systems. Luckily, there are shoreline stabilization solutions that can help repair a failing shoreline and prevent future damage. Bioengineered shorelines utilize geotextile material that can help restore the health of your lake or pond and ensure it can be enjoyed by all. With an effective buffer management plan and shoreline erosion plan in place, you can protect your waterbody from shoreline erosion.

Shoreline erosion is a common, natural phenomenon that can occur in any lake or pond. Although it is natural, other factors can speed up the process, such as weather, poor landscape design, wildlife, and human activities like urban development and excess recreation. Heavy rains and runoff can erode the soil and root systems that surround the shoreline. This continuous water flow can lead to the formation of gullies, trenches, and hazardous banks. Over time, this can also lead to the loss of land due to receding banks and can cause your lake or pond to slowly fill in with sediment, creating a shrinking appearance. 

When shorelines are unstable, residents or visitors can become injured if shorelines collapse. These accidents could result in severe liability risks like lawsuits and financial setbacks. Along with a receding shoreline, erosion can have serious consequences for the health of your waterbody. Stormwater runoff can bring nutrient-filled soil into the water column, leading to water quality issues like algae blooms and aquatic weeds. Effective and sustainable shoreline stabilization can help prevent erosion from occurring and can also help repair any damage.

Bioengineered shorelines are an effective solution that can help restore damaged lake banks and keep soil from eroding. This shoreline stabilization solution is made of a geotextile knitted mesh that is anchored to the stable part of the shoreline. The mesh is filled with organic material, such as soil or sand, to keep the system in place. Once the system is in place, native grasses or plants can be installed directly over or into the newly established shoreline, creating a beautiful living wall of vegetation. The mesh allows plant roots to grow through the system, further stabilizing the shoreline. The geotextile material also allows water to flow through, acting as a sediment filter. Over time, the bioengineered system will continue to hold the shoreline in place, providing lake and pond managers with years of protection.

In addition to bioengineered living shorelines, there are other shoreline stabilization solutions available. Rip-rap, bulkheads, regrading, and coconut fiber logs are all common erosion control solutions for waterbodies.

• Rip-rap is a layer of large stones that can protect channel and ditch banks from shoreline erosion in areas of high water flow. 
• Bulkheads are large retaining walls that can be used to contain flooding and protect shorelines from erosion. 
• Regrading is the process of leveling a steep or uneven shoreline to create a more gradual slope.
• Coconut fiber logs are ideal for areas with moving water due to their compact size and ability to redirect water flow. They can provide many of the same benefits as living shorelines and can also be installed alongside them for enhanced growth of native plants. 

Although these solutions are commonly used to control shoreline erosion, they will eventually fail and have to be replaced. Bioengineered living shorelines not only repair shoreline erosion, but they prevent future erosion damage while giving your waterbody a natural look.

Effective shoreline stabilization can be enhanced by proactive measures such as beneficial vegetative buffers. A shoreline buffer is the strip of vegetation along the parameter of a lake or pond. Buffers are comprised of native plants that are planted both in the water and on the shoreline. The plant’s roots help keep soil in place during heavy rain, helping reduce the effects of shoreline erosion. Not only do they help reduce shoreline erosion, but they can also act as a barrier for nutrient filtration and add beauty to your shoreline.

A living shoreline has an abundance of benefits, and each one is uniquely designed to fit the needs of your waterbody. Vegetative shoreline buffers are composed of native grasses and flowering plants that extend three to five feet from the shoreline. Common plant species vary across regions but can include Pickerelweed, Bulrush, Cardinal Flower, Blueflag Iris, and more. Cutting back your buffers throughout the year to remove invasive plants can help ensure their longevity, but too much cutting can do more harm than good. Allowing your natural shorelines to thrive can help prevent shoreline erosion and create a habitat for wildlife.