Lake Norman Lake Wylie How to Prevent Shoreline Erosion

Shoreline erosion is a large concern for Duke Energy and many waterfront property owners along Lake Norman and Lake Wylie.

What is Shoreline Erosion?

Shoreline erosion happens when water interacts with the land with enough force to move the soil. Natural erosion is typically a very slow progression, but can be amplified by natural events such as storms or flooding. Activities such as boat traffic and shoreline development also accelerate the process.

The water is continuously trying to reshape the shoreline by relocating soil from one location to another by depositing sediment at another location. This can be predominantly severe in reservoirs, where the soil is made up of highly erodible soil.

The procedures waterfront home owners use to stabilize their shoreline can have positive or damaging effects on the property, as well as the surrounding environment. There are a variety of choices to address erosion, ranging from hardened structures such as rip-rap and seawalls, to soft structures such as aquatic vegetation. The softest selection is usually chosen as the most fitting option.

Things to Consider Before Starting a Project

Before starting any shoreline stabilization project, contact Duke Energy Lake Services 800-443-5193.

A shoreline stabilization project should be well organized and designed before any construction is started. It will save time and money, and will help guarantee that the most fitting option is used.

The first step in designing a shoreline stabilization project is to determine the source of the erosion. This will help classify the skill of the contractors needed to solve the problem. Each solution should be thoroughly assessed 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, a timeline, necessary permits, site analysis, and types of plants to be used. Implementation of the project should be carried out in a time efficient manner to reduce the time the shoreline is disturbed. After the completion of the shoreline stabilization project, the shoreline should be monitored to observe any fluctuations in the site characteristics and maintained regularly in order to increase the chance for success.

Shoreline Characteristics

When planning a shoreline stabilization project, it is important to consider the characteristics of the shoreline. The likely hood of erosion on a shoreline is a function of the amount of erosive forces reaching the shoreline versus the resistance characteristics of the contents of the shoreline. Wind, waves, gravity and currents cause erosion on natural lakes. On reservoirs, erosion processes are similar, but with additional complicating factors such as the water level fluctuations.

Click the Link Below to view some of the characteristics of the shoreline that need to be considered when determining which stabilization technique will be best suited for the project.

Shoreline Characteristics

For more information please visit the Duke Energy Shoreline Management Guide

Lake Realty serves the Greater Charlotte NC area including Statesville, Mooresville, Sherrills Ford, Denver, Catawba, Davidson, Huntersville, Cornelius, Concord, Kannapolis, Fort Mill, Lake Wylie, Lake Hickory and is your main source for Lake Norman Real Estate.

Lake Realty - Real Estate Lake Norman, NC
19900 W. Catawba Ave, Cornelius, North Carolina, 704-892-6350, 800-315-5947

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