shoreline – Aquarius-Systems

Bioengineering your Shoreline Can Save Money & Improve Water Quality

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 19:55:21 +0000

Bioengineering is defined by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality as “using a combination of native planting and natural, or biodegradable materials to provide shoreline protection.” It also is often referred to as softshore engineering or lakescaping.

Many shorelines use seawalls. These are a hard surface, such as wood, metal or concrete, that is installed to act as a buffer by blocking waves to keep them from reaching the adjacent land. However, the hard surface bounces the energy back into the water picking up soil and sand causing erosion at the base of the wall called “scour.” This “scouring” reduces the stability of the seawall, decreases water clarity and has a negative impact on aquatic plants and animals.

A bioengineered or softshore engineered shoreline absorbs most, if not all, of the wave energy as it comes onto the shore. This reduces both erosion and scour providing more stability to the shoreline. Native shoreline plants also absorb nutrients and other pollutants in surface runoff keeping them out of the water.

Natural Vegetation on the Lakeshore Enhances Fish and Wildlife Habitat

Tue, 19 Sep 2023 20:18:13 +0000

Keeping your shoreline healthy is vital to the overall health of the lake. One of the biggest factors in the health of the shoreline is the plants that live on the land along the shoreline, as well as the submerged plants that live near the shoreline.

Plants on the shoreline or submerged in the water close to the shoreline are a problem for most lakeshore property owners. Unfortunately, most property owners want to remove all native vegetation and maintain a nicely manicured lawn, as well as add sand for a beach adjacent to the lake area for swimming and boating. The balance is educating property owners to learn about the vital role these plants play in the overall health of the lake. With the knowledge they gain, they will be able to make better decisions on how many plants to remove and how to still enjoy the recreational benefits of their lake.

Natural vegetation on the lakeshore enhances fish and wildlife habitat. Once established they are low maintenance and add to the beauty of our lakeshores. A major function of vegetation along a lakeshore is to filter pollutants from runoff thus protecting water quality. Native plants accomplish this by utilizing their deep root systems securing soil for filtration and stabilizing soil against erosion.

Native Vegetative Shoreline Buffer

Mon, 04 Sep 2017 18:17:00 +0000

Probably the single most helpful thing we can all do to help keep surface waters clean is the addition of a native vegetative buffer along the lakeshore. Buffers help filter out and trap pollutants like fertilizers, herbicides and pet waste before they reach the water. In addition, the deep roots from native buffer plants help hold the soil at the shore in place so it does not erode into the lake.

The upper parts of native buffer plants have their importance, too, as they provide for the many animals who make their homes near the water. It is estimated that approximately 90 percent of all animals spend all or part of their life cycle at the lakeshore. Native shoreline buffers provide shelter from the elements, provide a place to build a nest, provide a place to gather food and a place to hide from predators.

Buffers can be as simple as leaving a strip of unmowed grass along the shore or they can be more involved by planting a number of different native plant varieties. Whether you just leave the grass grow or install a native plant buffer, your lake water clarity and quality will benefit. It is certainly a step in the right direction.

Read More https://dec.vermont.gov/sites/dec/files/wsm/lakes/Lakewise/docs/lp_VTlakescape.pdf