The perfect lakeshore means something different to everyone, depending on what they wish to do with it. Those of us that are lucky enough to own lakefront property, or spend time on a lake, know that shorelines can be weedy, rocky, steep, flat, sandy, heavily wooded, and it doesn't matter because we love being near the water. Whatever kind of lakeshore you have, and whether you bought it for recreation, scenic beauty, or as an investment, we have common goals. We want to protect the resource we love and maximize our enjoyment of the lakeshore.

Your shoreline is under attack every day from weather. Wind, rain, ice and temperature extremes threaten to destroy lakeshore. Nature is not the only devastating force. Boat wakes can also be harmful, especially when water levels are higher than normal. Property that consistently is pounded by waves will lose soil and eventually property value.

Nature has a way of protecting itself. Ice ridges, dunes, vegetation, and even driftwood can absorb wave energy and slow the destruction of erosion. Submerged plants provide underwater cover for aquatic animals, break wave action, and keep sediment from being stirred up. Trees, shrubs and ground cover living on the shore, above the water, slow down runoff into the lake, reducing erosion. Plants also keep the lake clean by absorbing chemicals that would otherwise make their way into the water.

The laws that were set up to protect our lakes and streams, and the governmental agencies that enforce the laws, support the fact that nature does a good job on its own. The agencies encourage property owners to keep shoreline in its natural state. This, however, can create problems for homeowners trying to "improve" their property and enjoyment of the lake. It also is a problem for the governmental agencies that are entrusted to protect the lake.

Careful considerations when you purchase, plan, and develop your property will allow you to get through the red tape of the permit process and develop your shoreline to suit your needs.

Choose the right lakeshore for your lifestyle. A sandy beach will be hard to build on top of a mucky bottom, easy access to the lake will be difficult on a steep cliff, and views are difficult to achieve and maintain on a heavily wooded lot. Conflicts with governmental regulating agencies will occur when alterations to property are drastic. If you have purchased the right property you will be able to add improvements that enhance your site and not change the character of it. Do your homework and make sure you buy lakeshore that fits your wish list.

When you develop lake shore, there will be ordinances to follow and permits to obtain, but planning and good design will make the process a lot easier. A good design will:

• Maintain setback requirements and keep structures, roads, and septic systems away from the shoreline
• Creatively incorporate design elements to fit into the shoreline landscape instead of create the landscape
• Maintain and protect existing vegetation
• Enhance plantings with native tress and shrubs to soak up runoff and absorb lake contaminates
• Minimize paved surfaces which can increase runoff
• Design driveways, pathways, patios and other hard surfaces to drain away from the lake
• Control erosive soil with retaining methods including vegetation, walls or gabions
• Install riprap to protect shoreline
• Use careful and strategic cutting of trees to open up and direct views to the lake
• Use Best Management Practices during construction
• Consider scheduling construction in stages to minimize the impact of a large construction project

If you plan shoreline improvements, check with your local government agency to find out what permits are needed. There are a number of county, state and federal agencies that have jurisdiction in public waters and wetlands so more than one permit may be required. Make sure you get the permit before you begin the work and follow the specific construction guidelines to ensure the construction does not compromise the water quality.

Wind, water and ice threaten to destroy shoreline and surrounding property.

Choose the right lakeshore for your lifestyle.  If your land isn't right for a beach,consider a swimming raft instead of installing a beach.

Riprap is the most common shoreline treatment.  The rock prevents the shore from being eroded by wind and boat wakes.

Retaining Wall:  Helping nature deal with erosion by artificial means is more expensive, but  can be a way too maximize the lakeshore and protect your asset. 

Buffer strip:  A strip of vegetation along the shoreline breaks wave action and traps sediment and contaminants before they drain into the lake. 

Vegetated Slope:  Vegetation works well as a natural retaining wall.  Roots penetrate deep into the soil and stabilize soil layers.

Trim for the view:  Be selective in cutting vegetation.  Carefully trim trees up for a view, but leave the under story to hold the bank. 

Glossary of Terms

Beach Sand Blanket: Sand that is added on top of existing shoreline to form a beach.

Best Management Practices (BMP):  Actions you can take to reduce the impact of construction on the environment.

Buffer Strip:  Vegetated area adjacent to the shoreline that helps prevent contaminants from reaching the water.

Erosion:  The process of soil or rock being worn down and carried away by weather or water.

Gabions:  Rock filled wire baskets used for erosion control and often covered with plant material.

Ordinary High Water Level (OHWL):  The highest water level that a lake has maintained for enough time to leave evidence on the landscape.  It is a legal designation that must be determined by a DNR hydrologist.

Riparian Zone:  The land next to a body of water that may experience flooding.

Riprap:  Large rocks placed at the shoreline as protection from erosion.

Run off:  Water flowing over land that could cause erosion.

Shoreland Regulations:  Land adjacent to a body of water that is regulated as to the type and extent of development.

Watershed:  The area where surface water drains to a body of water.

By Barb Cross