Winds make waves, boat traffic creates waves. The reflection of the sky in those waves creates beautiful patterns of color. However, those waves eventually reach your shoreline. Winter brings ice and snow that redesign your shoreline for you, too.
Few of us see the maintenance of our shoreline as an enjoyable experience, but how can a well-maintained and designed shoreline keep you enjoying the view rather than dealing with aching muscles?
The July 8 edition of the Aitkin Age contains an article from the Mille Lacs County SWCD with excellent choices for lakeshore maintenance. LLPOA is ready to host a hands-on workshop with a grant provided to us from the Aitkin County SWCD. If your property would like to host (we will use your lakeshore as a demonstration site, providing the necessary materials), this workshop (looking into 2021), please email your interest to lonelakepoa.gmail.com.
How to tackle your shoreline erosion? Some changes do need a DNR permit (DNR permit link) so best to check there first. Some suggestions both from the article (SWCD shoreline protection) and regional experts suggest:
A "no-mow" buffer.....deeper roots will hold your soil.
Protect your soil....wrap your eroding shoreline with erosion control fabric and then plant native plants.
Plant native plants...Meadowsweet, False Indigo, Blue Flag Iris, Lake Sedge, Red Dogwood, and others.
Create a native plant buffer....trade your turf grass with the easy to follow steps in the link.
Install willow wattle (DNR wattle link) or a coir log at the toe of the shore. The toe is where the water meets the land. A coir log, (available in Brainerd at Brock White link) is an assorted fiber man-made log, temporarily staked to support your shore. Others have used a downed tree at the toe. All have seen both success and struggles in Lone Lake.
Why tackle your shoreline erosion? It is your land and best that you keep it. Erosion changes the lake and we all want to keep our lake one of the best. Why not rip-rap? Working towards the use of native species rather than rock brought in from other areas, the MN DNR continues to promote natural methods this past decade. Rip-rap is generally quite a large expense as well.
Please let us know of your interest in being a demonstration site for shoreline maintenance. Thanks for keeping your shoreline at home.
Links to information on erosion control.
UMN shoreland property owners stabilizing against erosion