What Is It?
Shoreline erosion is a concern for Duke Energy and many waterfront property owners along reservoirs in the Carolinas.
Erosion occurs when water interacts with the land with enough force to move the soil. Natural erosion is typically a very slow progression, but can be increased by natural events, such as storms or flooding. Activities such as boat traffic and shoreline development can also accelerate the process.
The water is constantly trying to reshape the shoreline by relocating soil from one location and depositing as sediment at another site. This can be particularly severe in reservoirs, because the shorelines are usually composed highly erodible soil.
The techniques waterfront homeowners use to stabilize their shoreline can have positive or detrimental effects on the property, as well as the surrounding environment. There are a variety of options to address erosion, ranging from hardened structures such as rip-rap and seawalls, to soft structures such as aquatic vegetation. The “softest” approach to stabilizing a shoreline is usually the most appropriate option.
Before Starting a Project
Before performing any shoreline stabilization work, contact Duke Energy Lake Services at 800-443-5193.
A shoreline erosion control project should be well thought out and designed before any construction is started. It will save time and money, and will help ensure that the most appropriate option is used. Various issues need to be addressed before implementing a shoreline erosion control project, and several disciplines, such as engineering, ecology, landscape architecture, and limnology are needed. This interdisciplinary method is needed because shoreline erosion is a multifaceted problem that can be solved in many ways. As part of the project planning, the goals should be clearly defined: what objectives are to be accomplished by this erosion control project; bank stabilization, improved water quality, enhanced wildlife habitat, aesthetics, etc.
The first step in designing a shoreline erosion control project is to determine the cause of the erosion. This will help identify the disciplines that should be consulted and the expertise brought to solve the problem. Each solution should be thoroughly explored with special considerations to cost, environmental impacts, success and durability.
Once the appropriate solution has been selected, a project plan should be developed, including cost, detailed line drawings, types of plants to be used, timeline, necessary permits, and site analysis. Implementation of the project should be carried out as quickly as possible to minimize the time the shoreline is disturbed. After the completion of the erosion control project, the shoreline should be monitored to observe any changes in the site characteristics and maintained regularly to increase the chance for success.
Proper identification of shoreline characteristics is extremely important in order to determine and select the appropriate shoreline stabilization technique. Some of the shoreline characteristics and stabilization techniques discussed may be difficult for the non-specialist to evaluate and additional more detailed information might be needed. Consult the following resources for additional information: USDA’s Engineering Field Handbook: Chapter 16 Streambank and Shoreline Protection, Gray and Sotir’s Biotechnical and Soil Bioengineering Slope Stabilization: A Practical Guide for Erosion Control and Hollis Allen’s (Army Corps of Engineer) Reservoir Shoreline Erosion and Control.
Before performing any shoreline stabilization work, contact Duke Energy Lake Services at 800-443-5193.
