But, when there’s a storm, the lakes’ waves crash onto the shoreline with great force, chipping away at the land bit by bit. More specifically (and this probably goes without saying), shoreline erosion occurs at the shore, like on the shores of the Great Lakes or the waterways leading into the lakes. One reason that the water levels are so high as of late is due to mankind’s negative impact on the environment. Allow shoreline vegetation to remain in as natural a state as possible.
Where vertical walls are built the gradual transition from shallow water to upland is destroyed, wave reflection off vertical walls causes bottom scour to occur, stirs bottom sediments, increases water turbidity, and impacts spawning areas and aquatic vegetation. Northern pike, bluegill, bass and other fish spawn in shallow shoreline areas. Rock, sand, and sediment is moved from place to place due to weather patterns and the way the wind and water react to those patterns.However, the shoreline erosion at the Great Lakes has become increasingly volatile over the last few years.
To preserve the natural ecosystems on your property, they also suggest leaving vegetation at a height of 20 inches or higher.One of the best parts of living on the lakes is having front-door access to the water. Currently approximately 250 miles of shoreline are designated as high risk erosion areas along the shorelines of Lakes Michigan, Superior and Huron. However, one way to reduce damage to the natural land near the coast is to preserve your home’s original foundation. The MNSP has created a list of plants to help find the "Right Plant for the Right Place". Residents and visitors to the region alike can see clearly that the lakes’ water is unusually high, lapping over walls and onto walking and biking paths.
Leaving a natural transitional area or adding deep rooted plants, including natural (unmowed) vegetation, can minimize the effects of waves, ice and fluctuating water levels. “From the earliest days, there has always been a need for us to go to the shoreline, which is like a last frontier, on the edge of the unknown,” Shabica said. Thanks to an increased awareness of our role in climate change and a renewed interest in caring for these precious ecosystems and lands, we have the opportunity to preserve the shores of the Great Lakes for years to comIt’s been a family affair! Additionally, all of this new sediment in the water reduces visibility, a death sentence for fish and other animals who rely on sight to catch their prey.With the increase of shoreline erosion has come the increase of man-made prevention methods. In order to minimize further erosion, we need to work to keep this land as natural as possible. Homes and buildings are collapsing more and more frequently as the land gives way to the high, crashing waters of the lakes. The water level in Lake Michigan is near all-time high levels right now. Near shore shallow waters provide habitat for a greater variety of organisms than all other aquatic zones and are essential in the life cycles of many of Michigan's fish and wildlife.
The farther away from the consistently eroding shore, the better—not just for the environment, but for your home’s structural integrity as well!Pretend there’s a giant “Do Not Disturb” sign across the coasts of the Great Lakes.
What is Shoreline Erosion At its simplest, erosion is the wearing away of a shoreline due to forces—usually water and wind—moving sand or soil from one area to another. If you do have to cut down trees, leave the stumps and roots. In order to prevent ongoing erosion your property may benefit from the addition of deeper rooted plants such as shrubs and trees. More and more, property owners on the lakes are seeing their yards eaten away by the high, rough waters. Shoreline hardening that occurs with the construction of vertical walls (seawalls) has significant adverse effects on the fishery, wildlife and the overall water quality of a lake.