In landscaping, erosion control is necessary when you are having soil that is washing away, due to the fact that it has been exposed in one way or another. Most of the time, grass, flowers, plants (groundcover) has died, leaving the soil exposed. When it rains, the soil is carried to another area of the yard, thus eroding the area creating low spots and sometimes holes in yards. As the erosion continues to strip an area, additional vegetation can die, causing the problem continues to expand.
The same can be said for people that have erosion next to bodies of water. The difference next to water however, is that the water is running across the exposed banks of soil along the water way and carrying it to other parts of the yard or completely away in some cases. Water is a very powerful force and usually along bodies of water, erosion is a much greater project to tackle.
There are a few different ways that you can fix your erosion along the lakefront or stream:
1. Gabion Basket Retaining Wall- These retaining walls are made using large, medium, or small mesh wire baskets filled with large stones. These baskets are placed along a water way to prevent further erosion. Gabion baskets are usually used when dealing with larger areas along waterways. Just like with any retaining wall you may have to have permits and an engineered drawing done depending on your county or city rules. As simple as these wall may look, you can't just place them and leave them. There is a proper way to install them. Depending on the project, some people have also used block wall and pressure treated timber retaining walls. Contact a retaining wall installer that is familiar with these types of projects such as Bailey Construction & Landscape Group.
2. Rip Rap- Sometimes giant stones referred to as RIP RAP, is used along shorelines next to small creeks or storm drain outlets to stop dirt from washing away. Rip rap is used when you need to control an area that doesn't require a lot of structure such as in a situation where you would need a retaining wall. You may see rip rap most commonly along the side of road in ditches along a highway or near storm water drains.
3. Dry Riverbeds-Dry riverbeds are are made of smaller river tones or slicks that are laid in a defined area that allow water to flow across it and to a designated area. These are usually placed a little further back from shore than other methods such as a retaining wall or rip rap. Dry riverbeds can help direct water from your yard to the shore line in a controlled manor, that protects the shoreline and keeps it from eroding. Since dry riverbeds are used in smaller erosion situations, but can also be quite large. Dry riverbeds are very pleasing to the eye as well. These again aren't used against the shore line, but they can help direct water flow to and from areas along shorelines.
No matter if your erosion project is big or small, tackle it before it grows out of control. Don't wait until you have a hole in your yard that can be dangerous, or until you have lost a giant portion of your yard. Do your research because dealing with erosion near waterways is a little more involved than regular erosion in the yard. Call a company like Bailey Construction & Landscape Group and see what options are available to you and just what is the best method of repair for your shoreline erosion situation.