Living or owning a camp on the shoreline of a lake or pond
is a dream of many who live in or visit the Adirondacks and the Northeast. There are a few practices that can be
implemented by property owners to protect their investment, enhance their
recreation and protect and restore the water quality of our water resources.
If the shoreline is eroding, Lake shoreline stabilization bioengineering
practices that incorporate softscaping and natural material to stabilize banks
and reduce stormwater from entering our water resources can be implemented. This
can include encapsulated lifts, coir logs, live stake plantings, and use of
trees and natural material. As some
practices need to be anchored below the waterline a permit may be
required.
To enhance and further protect the shoreline from erosion, a
shoreline buffer can be planted that incorporates native perennials, shrubs and
trees. These provide additional
filtration of nutrients and provide shade for fish species and to help reduce
nearshore algal growth.
To further protect your shoreline, consider a property-wide
approach for stormwater control. The
idea is to slow the flow and allow the water to enter the ground as close to
where it falls. Common practices
include: rain gardens using native perennials plants, grassy swales, rain
gutters, and pervious pavers. For a
detailed raingarden manual please visit: http://winooskinrcd.org/wp-content/uploads/VTRainGardenManual1.pdf To learn more about how to manage your lawn
to protect water quality visit: http://winooskinrcd.org/wp-content/uploads/Green-Lawn-care-factsheet.pdf
The Winooski Natural Resources Conservation District, which
I am the District Manager of, is pleased to announce the initiation of the Lake
Iroquois Shoreland restoration project, funded in part through a Vermont Clean
Water Initiative Ecosystem Restoration Program grant. The project consists of
designing bioengineering practices along six adjacent properties on Lake
Iroquois, Hinesburg VT to reduce sediment and phosphorus loading.
Lake Iroquois a 243 acre eutrophic lake located within Chittenden
County Vermont is surrounded by mostly seasonal homes and camps that are
progressively changing to year round homes.
The major water quality concern is the excessive phosphorus enrichment.
This has caused historic toxic algal blooms and excessive nearshore algal
growth. To learn more about algae visit:
http://parnapyc.wixsite.com/avacal-biological
Studies have shown that the majority of
phosphorus entering Lake Iroquois is from shoreland erosion and stormwater
runoff. The current lake scorecard rates
the lake as in Fair Condition.
During Phase 1 of the project, each site will undergo the
VTDEC WSMD Lakewise assessment in conjunction with a thorough site inventory
and analysis to identify and assess sources of sediment and phosphorous runoff
into the lake. Following the site inventory and analysis phase, the Landscape
designer; Dr. Annie White, owner and Principal of NECTAR Landscape Design
Studio will develop two design concepts for each of the six properties. The
designs will aim to treat stormwater runoff in upland landscape areas, repair
eroded shorelines using bioengineering techniques, and restore natural buffers
along the shoreline. The landowners will then review the design concepts and
landscape visualization sketches and select the concept (or combination of
concepts) that best fits their vision and usage of their property. The designer
will then complete the final design plans for each of the six properties.
By protecting the shoreline, the property owners and
partners are protecting water quality and
Projects like this can be accomplished through partnerships
with your local Soil and Water Conservation District (if in NY) or your local
Natural Resources Conservation District (if in VT) or your local watershed
group.
Corrina Parnapy
Vermont Shoreline Erosion Control Certified
District Manager, Winooski NRCD
Principal Phycologist, Avacal Biological
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