Shoreline Erosion Control
Stop a shoreline from washing away. We find out why it is eroding and pick the fix that fits, whether that is plants, rock, or both.
What shoreline erosion control involves
Shoreline erosion control is the bigger-picture job of figuring out why a bank is washing away and picking the right way to stop it. Riprap is one tool, but it is not always the best one, and on a lot of shorelines it is not even the cheapest once grant cost-share is in the picture.
The Soil and Water Conservation Districts around here lean toward the green options, things like deep-rooted native plantings, cedar tree revetments, coir logs, and live stakes, because they hold soil, filter runoff, and help water quality and habitat. Rock riprap is usually saved for shorelines where those softer methods will not hold.
That difference matters to your wallet. Native and bioengineered shoreline work often qualifies for the highest cost-share around, up to 75% in Otter Tail County, while rock is funded at a lower rate. We look at your site, recommend the approach that fits the conditions, and tell you how that choice affects what the county might cover.
How we do it
Our step-by-step process for shoreline erosion control.
- 1
Diagnose the cause
We figure out what is actually driving the erosion, whether that is wave energy, boat wake, runoff coming off the yard, foot traffic, or a failing slope, because the cause decides the right fix.
- 2
Match the method
We recommend the right approach for your shoreline: native plantings and bioengineering where they will hold, rock where the energy calls for it, or a mix of both.
- 3
Prepare the bank
We grade and stabilize the bank as needed and deal with the runoff coming down from above, so the new protection is not fighting a problem upstream of it.
- 4
Install the solution
We put in the system we settled on, whether that is native plants, coir logs and live stakes, footer rock, or riprap, built to take hold and last.
- 5
Establish and protect
For planted work, we set you up for that first season, which is when native plantings take root and really start doing their job.
Why it’s worth doing right
A grant may cover much of this project
Shoreline work like this often qualifies for county cost-share. In Otter Tail County, native shoreline plantings can be funded up to 75% and riprap up to 50%, with comparable programs in Grant and Douglas counties, which can take a real chunk out of what you pay.
See shoreline grants by countyQuestions about shoreline erosion control
Is native vegetation really as effective as rock?
On a lot of shorelines, yes. Deep-rooted native plants hold soil, soften the waves, and filter runoff, and they keep getting better as they fill in. Very high-energy shorelines may still need rock, but a good share of lake-lot erosion can be handled with plants or a mix of the two.
Why do the SWCDs prefer native plantings over riprap?
Native, bioengineered shorelines filter runoff, give habitat, and improve water quality in ways rock cannot. That is why the districts tend to fund planted work at higher cost-share rates and save riprap for the spots where softer methods will not hold.
Can erosion control be covered by a grant?
Often a good chunk of it can. Shoreline restoration through your county SWCD can cover up to 75% of eligible costs for native plantings in Otter Tail County, with similar programs in Grant and Douglas counties. Our shoreline grants page has the details and the county contacts.
How soon should I act on an eroding shoreline?
Sooner is cheaper. Erosion speeds up once the bank is bare, and a job that is a planting project this year can become a rock-and-regrade project next year. Looking at it early keeps your options, and your costs, open.
Ready to get started?
Contact us for a free estimate on your shoreline erosion control project.