Natural Shoreline Landscapes on Michigan Inland Lakes Excerpts from Chapters 2 and 3 Photo Photo by Jane by Jane Herbert Herbert
Session topics Characteristics of natural and altered shorelines Lakes, shorelines, habitat and water quality Considerations when designing a natural shoreline Design ideas Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership
Did you know? Twenty-four species of amphibians, 25 species of reptiles, 87 species of birds and 19 species of mammals are supported by Michigan inland lakes. (O Neal & Soulliere, et.al., 2006)
Natural Shoreline Landscapes on Michigan Inland Lakes Workshop for Property Owners Chapter 2: Understanding the Shoreline
Natural Shoreline Landscapes on Michigan Inland Lakes Workshop for Property Owners Chapter 2: Understanding the Shoreline Three tiers of vegetation Tree canopy Shrub understory Herbaceous plants Aquatic, wetland and upland Natural Shorelines are stable shorelines
Horizontal roots stabilize lake-bottom sediments
PROFUNDAL PROFUNDAL ZONE ZONE Modified from: University of Minnesota Natural Resources Research Institute
Natural Shoreline Landscapes on Michigan Inland Lakes Workshop for Property Owners Chapter 2: Understanding the Shoreline Provides critical habitat for at least 65 native fish species. Spawning Nursery Feeding Predator avoidance Entire life cycle or seasonal use Twenty of these 65 fishes are considered to be Species of Greatest Conservation Need 1 1 Michigan Wildlife Action Plan (2005)
Natural Shoreline Landscapes on Michigan Inland Lakes Workshop for Property Owners Chapter 2: Understanding the Shoreline Lawn to the water s edge Loss of fish and wildlife habitat Nuisance animal habitat Shoreline erosion and hardening Loss of shade Deadwood removal Sandy beach maintenance Polluted stormwater Excessive plant growth and algae blooms Oxygen loss Recreation impacts Chemical treatment
Results of a study of 44 Minnesota lakes indicate (on average) a 66% reduction in emergent and floating-leaf vegetation in the presence of shoreline development. Results of the same study indicate a positive relationship between the occurrence of emergent and floating-leaf vegetation and the abundance and size of certain fishes including: Northern pike Bluegill Pumpkinseed (Radomski and Goeman, 2001)
Loss of tiered vegetation and shade
Home Sweet Home
Reduce pollutants entering the lake Adapted From: Wisconsin DNR
Runoff Volume Phosphorus Inputs Sediment Inputs 4x 5x 6x Adapted From: Wisconsin DNR 18x
In freshwater aquatic systems 1 unit of phosphorus can produce 500 times its weight in algae. (Wetzel, Limnology, 2nd Edition)
Natural Shoreline Landscapes on Michigan Inland Lakes Workshop for Property Owners Chapter 2: Understanding the Shoreline Identify upland cause(s) and source(s): Cause: overland runoff Source: stormwater collecting on impervious surfaces
Natural Shoreline Landscapes on Michigan Inland Lakes Workshop for Property Owners Chapter 2: Understanding the Shoreline Identify the causes and sources at water s edge: Cause: Undercut bank and bank failure Source: Removal of long-rooted native vegetation plus prolonged and repeated high water levels (level controlled lake)
Consequences on inland lakes
Modified from: University of Minnesota Natural Resources Research Institute PROFUNDAL ZONE
Wave energy flanking from neighboring sea wall
MDNR IFR density development density development N = 250
Natural Shoreline Landscapes on Michigan Inland Lakes Workshop for Property Owners Chapter 2: Understanding the Shoreline Wave energy at vertical sea wall
Natural Shoreline Landscapes on Michigan Inland Lakes Workshop for Property Owners Chapter 2: Understanding the Shoreline Littoral zone vegetation provides wave attenuation.
Depends on: Fetch = Maximum uninterrupted distance across the lake from your location Water Depth Wind Speeds Other factors
Natural Shoreline Landscapes on Michigan Inland Lakes Workshop for Property Owners Chapter 2: Understanding the Shoreline Wisconsin On-line Erosion Calculator
12 inches
Lake types
Source: Four Townships Water Resources Council
How high does the water get?
Natural Shoreline Landscapes on Michigan Inland Lakes Workshop for Property Owners Chapter 2: Understanding the Shoreline Ice action along the shoreline Intensity and frequency can vary from year to year. Factors include: Freeze/thaw expansion and contraction Lack of snow cover and/or Spring ice-out (break-up) Rate of warm up Orientation of site to spring winds
Shapes and reshapes natural shorelines Ice ridges: Lakes and shorelines come to a dynamic equilibrium Removal of ice ridge give the lake the advantage Result is shoreline recession
Water Table
Natural Shoreline Landscapes on Michigan Inland Lakes Workshop for Property Owners Chapter 4: Design Ideas Lakefront Landscape: different approach. The upland and aquatic zones are outlined. (Source: MSU Extension) High Impact Lake Front Landscape. (Source: MSU Extension) Lake Front Landscape integrating a more manicured approach with buffers. (Source: MSU Extension)
June 2009 Late Summer 2009 Summer 2010 Photos: Allegan Conservation District
Pop Quiz
Video: Restoration of a low to moderate energy shoreline property
Naturalize shorelines to restore habitat AND improve curb appeal
Naturalize shorelines to restore habitat AND fix problem areas Photo: Jane Herbert
Restore natural shorelines to restore habitat (for people, too)
Questions? Natural shorelines can preserve and/or restore ecological benefits to our lakes. Photo: Jane Herbert