Shoreline Restoration
Keep your shoreline safe and in the correct condition to prevent an array of potential problems.
While lakes in most Florida communities are beautiful, they were initially created as “retention” ponds to control flooding during the rainy season. Simply stated, when the rains come, the water flows into these lakes rather than building up and flooding homes and roads.
This strategy has been extremely successful, but as water flows in and out of these lakes the shorelines fluctuate, causing significant erosion. You can notice this fluctuation during times of drought, when water levels are low, and then after a heavy rainfall. Without continual care, these enjoyable bodies of water can fall into disrepair, resulting in unsightly and potentially dangerous conditions.
Eroding shorelines can be dangerous and have a negative impact on the overall health and safety of a pond or lake.
Dangers associated with eroding shorelines:
- Erosion and fluctuating water levels de-stabilize the land. Unstable land can be hazardous – golfers walking along the shore could fall causing injury. Golf cart accidents are typical. In addition, these conditions are hazardous for landscapers and lake management firms since heavy equipment frequently roll over. Deaths and injuries have occurred.
- Those living on lakefront properties frequently avoid taking advantage of their backyard amenity due to dangerous conditions.
- Fluctuating water levels become a haven for burrowing animals (otters, fish, iguanas) which also create these unstable shorelines.
- Eroding shorelines leave drainage pipes, sprinkler systems, and electrical cable and internet lines exposed and subject to erosion and costly repairs.
Fortunately, there are several strategies to control shoreline erosion.
Some include installing sandbags, rocks, and trees. For the most part, these are band aids. One permanent and eco-friendly erosion-control technology is Shoresox and Dredgesox TM. It is an effective way to remove sediment from waterways and reclaim shorelines. The key advantage is that this innovative product allows us to use nature’s natural ability to stabilize the shoreline by planting and/or sodding directly through mesh armoring, establishing newly rooted vegetation. It is the most effective way to permanently halt erosion as well as following Best Management Practices.
In layman’s terms, we are filling a huge sock with rich organic sediment and lining the shoreline with it. Once it is sodded and fully rooted, it becomes a permanent part of the shoreline and not susceptible to further erosion. This sod also provides a filtration system, preventing fertilizers from polluting the lakes. Many municipalities and states are turning to these “living shorelines” as opposed to building cement walls.
Once the shorelines are stabilized, associations should consider a variety of other initiatives that reflect a commitment to the environment that beautify properties, including:
- Fountains and aerators are an important part of creating a sound and healthy environment. They also create a healthy environment for fish to multiply and thrive. Fish are important as they can eliminate and control midge and mosquito populations. Aerators circulate the water reducing sludge buildup on the bottom. These efforts maintain a healthy ecological balance, resulting in healthy water, safe environment for wildlife, appropriate vegetation, and elimination of damaging algae.
- Plantings for aesthetics, nutrient-controls, wildlife, shoreline preservation. It’s important to know that while some aquatic plants are beautiful, they may be harming the environment, and damaging the habitat for birds, fish, and other wildlife. It’s important to identify and remove these non-native exotic invasive plants and replace them with Florida native aquatic plants that actually improve the environment and water quality. For example, appropriate plantings must provide nutrients for the water, thereby providing a healthy place for fish. They should attract wildlife seeking places for nesting and multiplying. And these plants must also offer a food source. Plantings are also important in preventing erosion along the shorelines.
Shoreline erosion is inevitable, given the violent nature of our rainy season. But with proper maintenance the dangers can be minimized and eliminated, allowing the lakes and canals to do their jobs as retention ponds and to provide scenic views and safe places for recreation.
