What is a Natural Shoreline?

Lakes have natural features that keep them healthy and clean. One of these features is a naturally vegetated shoreline that provides benefits for lake and wildlife health. Learn more in the Healthy Lakes video:

You Can Combat Shoreline Erosion

The main cause of shoreline erosion on inland lakes are;

Aquatic and terrestrial vegetation removal
Shoreline hardening (i.e. seawalls)

Best Management Practices to Reduce Shoreline Erosion

Maintain a vegetated shoreline buffer zone by planting native plants, shrubs, and trees, not mowing to the edge, and keeping impervious surfaces to a minimum.
Encourage aquatic plant growth by only removing small areas of plants for boats or other recreational purposes.
Homes should be sited at least 100 feet from the shoreline.

What if My Shoreline is Already Eroding?

Contact a qualified Natural Shoreline Consultant for a site visit
Do not mow turf grass to the edge
Consider a soft-armored or bio-engineered shoreline - permit required
- Bio-engineered shorelines may include native plants, coir (coconut fiber) logs, erosion control blankets (coconut or wood fiber), and correctly sized and placed rocks