Erosion Resources
Natural Shoreline Design Resources
First, identify if your shoreline is impacted by low energy or high energy erosion:
Low energy is categorized as a location where erosion occurs from lower-impact forces such as wind and boats.
Lower Energy Bioengineering Fact Sheet
Lower Engery Bioengineering Illustration
High energy is categorized as erosive energy from waves and ice. High energy shorelines will typically contain field stone and deep rooting plants to protect against erosion.
Higher Energy Bioengineering Fact Sheet
Higher Energy Bioengineering Illustration
Seawall Replacement Illustration
Riprap Illustration
For more information, click the button below to watch a webinar from EGLE on shoreline best management practices.
First, identify if your shoreline is impacted by low energy or high energy erosion:
Low energy is categorized as a location where erosion occurs from lower-impact forces such as wind and boats.
Lower Energy Bioengineering Fact Sheet
Lower Engery Bioengineering Illustration
High energy is categorized as erosive energy from waves and ice. High energy shorelines will typically contain field stone and deep rooting plants to protect against erosion.
Higher Energy Bioengineering Fact Sheet
Higher Energy Bioengineering Illustration
Seawall Replacement Illustration
Riprap Illustration
For more information, click the button below to watch a webinar from EGLE on shoreline best management practices.
Woody Habitat Structure Resources
Woody habitat is coarse woody structure, such as partially or fully submerged trees and branches that protect the lakeshore and property values. To understand more about the advantages and disadvantages of woody habitat, click on the fact sheets below provided by EGLE.
Inland Lakes Woody Structure Fact Sheet
Inland Lakes Woody Structure Shoreline Protection Illustration
EGLE Project Examples for Woody Structure
Michigan State University's educational resources demonstrate how to develop a shoreline in front of your property that protects both water and land by minimizing erosion. Click on the documents below for more information on planting your shoreline and nearshore plants.
Smart Shorelines: Planning Your Nearshore Garden
Smart Shorelines: Waterfront Plants to Enhance Your Shoreline
Click the link below for information on how to maximize the environment for fish and wildlife on your lakeshore property.
Helping Fish and Wildlife on Your Lakeshore Property
Woody habitat is coarse woody structure, such as partially or fully submerged trees and branches that protect the lakeshore and property values. To understand more about the advantages and disadvantages of woody habitat, click on the fact sheets below provided by EGLE.
Inland Lakes Woody Structure Fact Sheet
Inland Lakes Woody Structure Shoreline Protection Illustration
EGLE Project Examples for Woody Structure
Michigan State University's educational resources demonstrate how to develop a shoreline in front of your property that protects both water and land by minimizing erosion. Click on the documents below for more information on planting your shoreline and nearshore plants.
Smart Shorelines: Planning Your Nearshore Garden
Smart Shorelines: Waterfront Plants to Enhance Your Shoreline
Click the link below for information on how to maximize the environment for fish and wildlife on your lakeshore property.
Helping Fish and Wildlife on Your Lakeshore Property
Stormwater Control Resources
Learn how stormwater runoff affects your property and shoreline, and how to mitigate it.
Smart Shorelands: Stormwater Solutions for Protecting Your Waterfront
Smart Shorelands: Soak up the Rain with a Smart Rain Garden
Learn how stormwater runoff affects your property and shoreline, and how to mitigate it.
Smart Shorelands: Stormwater Solutions for Protecting Your Waterfront
Smart Shorelands: Soak up the Rain with a Smart Rain Garden
Benefits of Bioengineering
- Natural vegetation serves as a filter between lawn and lakeshore, preventing pesticides and fertilizers from running directly into the water.
- Native plant roots filter more water than the turf grass varieties typically planted in Michigan. They help prevent flooding or standing water.
- Vegetation and natural and biodegradable items are often less expensive to implement than structural methods like concrete seawalls. Plants, shrubs and trees can provide an attractive privacy screen for property owners, while maintaining views of the lake.
- Vegetated strips using native plants often require little to no maintenance once established, leaving more time to enjoy lakefront living.
- Plants in the water and along the shore help absorb wave energy, which helps keep soils and sands settled and makes for clearer (less turbid) water.
- Bioengineering is an attractive and environmentally healthy way to landscape, with a living buffer.
What can you do to be a good steward if you don’t want to replace/remove Your Seawall?
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Erosion Repairs
If erosion of the lakebottom in front of your property poses a problem, it will be much easier to address before the lake is refilled. Some important points:
- In most cases, if the lakebottom in front of your property has been stable since the May 2020 flood, there is probably nothing more you need to do.
- FLTF had money for erosion stabilization projects from 2020-2023, but those funds have been exhausted.
- The most important erosion to correct is any that threatens the stability of a structure on your property, including the seawall. A seawall contractor can advise if ongoing erosion threatens your seawall.
- Any work that requires filling an eroded area will require a permit from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).
