Healthy Shorelines Make A Difference - They improve water quality, improve shoreline habitat, reduce erosion, and reduce runoff!
The accepted norm on many of our lakes is to have a mowed lawn up to the edge of a concrete seawall. Concrete seawalls are not natural. Healthy shorelines (and adjacent lawns) have an abundance of native plants both on the land and in the water, which work to filter pollutants out of runoff, deter nuisance wildlife, stabilize the shoreline, and slow wave action.
Glacial stone (or rock) seawalls are also an improvement over concrete because they provide stabilization to the shoreline while also minimizing wave action.
Homeowners often worry that a natural shoreline will look messy, but with proper planning a natural shoreline can be an incredibly beautiful low-maintenance landscape feature without interfering with recreation.
You can turn your lawn and lakeshore into a healthy shoreline by using these types of methods:
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stone re-facing of concrete seawalls
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glacial stone seawalls
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bioengineered seawalls
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lake-friendly landscaping
- rain gardens
- rain barrels
These practices make a difference for our lakes, rivers, and watershed!
Look to the bottom of this page where you can download a list of local contractors who can help you install healthier shoreline options.
