Protect Your Lakeshore from Erosion

Minnesota summers never seem to last long enough, which is why those weekends at the lake are so important. When you’re relaxing with your family at the cabin, the last thing you want to think about is shoreline erosion. That’s where the experts at JK Landscape Construction come in. From recognizing early signs to carrying out shoreline restoration efforts, find out how to protect your lakeshore from erosion so you can enjoy cabin life for years to come.

Causes of Shoreline Erosion

With more than 15,000 lakes and 6,500 rivers and streams, Minnesota naturally has an abundance of shoreline. But a handful of factors slowly contribute to the erosion of those shorelines, which can—and often does—have environmental, aesthetic, and economic impacts.

Some of the most common causes of shoreline erosion include:

• Waves, from wind or boat wakes, crash along the shoreline, weakening or washing away soil, gradually eroding the bank.
• Winter ice buildup and movement push against shorelines, scraping away soil and rock.
• Removing native plants can disrupt soil strength and decrease the ground’s ability to withstand natural wear.
• Walking near shorelines or dredging the water along property lines can disturb vegetation and sediment or alter wave patterns that contribute to erosion.

Signs of Shoreline Erosion

Because erosion can be a gradual and slow process, you may not notice changes to your shoreline as they’re happening. This is especially true if you spend a lot of time at your cabin or if your home is a lakefront property.

Shoreline erosion may not seem obvious if it’s not drastic. Changes that occur progressively and slowly in real time are less noticeable, so keep an eye open for signs that your shoreline needs help.

• Murky water may indicate erosion from soil and sediment washing away.
• Bare patches of soil, particularly along embankments, can be signs of erosion.
• Fewer native plants and wildlife may mean the shoreline is shrinking.
• Dwindling land area or changes in shoreline structure could mean your property is washing away.
• Leaning trees or trees with exposed roots can indicate changes in soil strength or composition.

If you notice changes in your shoreline and are concerned about erosion, reach out to a trusted landscaping professional to discover solutions that fit your situation and budget.

Restore Your Shoreline

As a waterfront property owner, you want to safeguard your shoreline for any number of reasons. First and foremost, it’s your property, and you want to maintain it for practical, aesthetic, and environmental reasons. While helping to ward off future erosion, shoreline restoration also helps improve water quality, provides thriving habitats for plants and animals, and protects your property as well as its value.

At JK Landscape, our crew is highly experienced and knowledgeable in shoreline restoration. Based on your situation and needs, we offer various approaches for restoring your shoreline, including:

• Natural planting buffers. Installing plants is an efficient, effective, and aesthetically pleasing way to help protect your property. We’ll assess your shoreline and make recommendations for trees, shrubs, and other vegetation that will thrive based on soil composition, available sunlight, drainage, and more.
• Erosion control blankets. Made from biodegradable materials, these coverings help protect and stabilize soil while allowing air and water to pass through.
• Drainage systems. These systems are designed to catch rainwater or runoff and direct it away from your shoreline.
• Terraces. For sloped shorelines, terraced structures help slow the flow of water, allowing it to soak in rather than run off.
• Rip rap. We install a layer of rocks along the shoreline to help resist erosion by preventing water and waves from washing away the soil.

Based on the severity of erosion to your shoreline, any of these options may be a good solution. Our team can help determine the best approach for restoration. And with our barging service, we can carry all the tools, machinery, and supplies we need across the water to prevent damage—or further damage—to your property.

Work with the Shoreline Restoration Experts

At JK Landscape, we want your summer fun and your shoreline to last as long as possible. With our experience and expertise, we can help protect your lakeshore from erosion so you and your family can enjoy your home or cabin for years to come. Contact us today to find out more about our shoreline restoration services, and let’s get started on your project.