The Many Effects of Erosion on Lakes

Florida is filled with communities that feature lakes that enhance the aesthetics of the neighborhoods and golf courses as well as provide recreational opportunities such as boating and fishing for the residents. The majority of these lakes were created for practical and functional purposes, such as capturing stormwater to prevent flooding or storing water to use for irrigation.

Natural erosion of lake banks is inevitable. Keeping these community and golf course lakes clean and functional is paramount for their aesthetic appeal. It is also essential to ensure that the lakes' shoreline and banks are maintained for the safety of the communities that use them.

For professional shoreline erosion control & restoration services in Florida, contact your local lake management experts today.

Effects of Shoreline Erosion in Lakes

Shoreline erosion is a serious issue for lakes. It can cause loss of shoreline property, loss of depth in the lake if the soil is displaced, loss of recreational opportunities and aesthetic appeal, and the creation of shoreline gullies and cracks. Often, sprinkler systems, drainage pipes, Internet lines, and electrical cables may be exposed, which can lead to costly repairs. It is an issue that only gets worse over time and should be attended to immediately and consistently monitored.

When slopes become too steep, the shoreline can become unsafe. Steep slopes increase the risk of someone falling into the lake and being injured. The steepness of the slope can also make it hard for someone to get out of the lake when they fall in. This is one of the most concerning effects of erosion of the shoreline and banks.

Eroding shorelines can also become havens for burrowing wildlife such as otters and fish such as catfish, which adds to their instability. Gullies and washouts can develop in the unstable areas, which leads to more damage, which then leads to more risk of falls and injuries. Golfers may fall in, and golf cart accidents can happen. Often, due to the effects of erosion, homeowners with lakefront property find that they cannot enjoy their backyard to its fullest because of the dangerous conditions.

These concerns often make the decision to restore and maintain lake banks a necessity. They are often subject to compliance with local code requirements, and even if they are not, they can pose a significant liability to HOAs, golf courses, commercial properties, and private homeowners.

What Causes Lake Shorelines to Erode

There are many natural causes of lake bank and shoreline erosion, including:

• Changing water levels in lakes due to seasonal rains and other weather events
• Strong winds often cause waves that pound into banks and damage the banks and shoreline
• Without proper drainage, storm water runoff causes damage, especially when the shoreline is exposed due to low lake elevation
• Fish and wildlife such as the catfish and otters may burrow into expose banks and cause them to collapse

Although erosion is a natural process, human activities can increase the rate of erosion. Clear-cutting of native vegetation removes the natural erosion protection provided by root systems that hold the soil. Gardening and lawn care can cause too much fertilizer and pesticides to enter the lake, which can disrupt the lake's natural balance and cause erosion. And lastly, when too much land is covered by pavement or asphalt, these hard surfaces cause excess storm water to enter the lake rather than being absorbed by the soil around the lake.

How Lake Shoreline Erosion Can Be Prevented

Despite the best efforts of HOAs, golf course superintendents, and municipalities, all lakes will feel the effects of erosion to some degree. However, there are many strategies to control or mitigate erosion.

Native Plants

An effective tool for shoreline erosion control, planting native trees, shrubs, and groundcovers help retain the soil and stabilize the banks. The vegetation can be just grasses or sedges, but can also include shrubs and trees. This vegetation also protects from invasive fish and burrowing wildlife without disrupting the natural ecosystem or habitats for native species. It is important to use native plants rather than non-native exotic species because these species can harm the lake's ecosystem and damage the habitat for fish, birds, and other wildlife.

Bioengineered Shoreline Control

The eco-friendly bioengineered erosion control technology is also an excellent way to protect and mitigate the effects of erosion. Technologies such as ShoresSOX® and DredgeSOX® effectively remove sediment from lakes and reclaim their shorelines. They work with nature to hold the shoreline because the vegetation can be planted directly through the mesh armoring, helping their roots to become established and hold onto the soil.

Riprap and Root Trap

With riprap, rocks are placed over a filter blanket to anchor the soil in place. Similar to riprap, root trap covers the rocks with topsoil and installs plants so that their roots keep them in place.

Bulkheads and Retaining Walls

Bulkheads and retaining walls can be effective at controlling the effects of erosion, however, if not installed correctly, they run the risk of falling into the lake or eroding from underneath and becoming unsafe.

Erosion Control Blankets

With this method, a woven material is installed to slow down the movement of the water across the surface of the lake. They can be made of natural or synthetic fiber, or a blend of both. They are often made of straw, coconut fiber, and polypropylene (plastic). A similar method is coil logs or fiber rolls installed to pool the water and long enough to let the sediment settle out.

Due to Florida's strenuous rainy season, lake shoreline erosion is inevitable. With vigilant mitigation and the right methods, the dangers and effects of erosion can be minimized, and in some cases eliminated entirely. Lakes can then serve their purpose for retaining water, protecting from excess storm water runoff, and offering aesthetics and recreational opportunities to the surrounding community.

We provide eco-friendly shoreline erosion control to protect environmental assets for the following:

• Golf Courses
• Residential Homeowner Associations
• Community Development Districts
• Commercial Properties
• Water Management DistrictsMunicipal Authorities