Now that spring is hopefully on its way, many lake property owners in the county may start to see damage along their shorelines from ice shove. Ice shove or ice push occurs when the temperature increases as spring approaches, causing the ice to melt and start to break up. Weakening ice with strong winds can be a bad combination for our shorelines in Forest County. There are a few options to consider to help shorelines from getting too damaged from ice shove or other erosion, like waves and runoff. Vegetation along shorelines is the most beneficial to help erosion, specifically native plants. Native plants are well-suited to their local environments and have developed root systems that are particularly effective at stabilizing soil. Along shorelines, where water erosion is a constant threat, native plants like grasses, sedges, and shrubs help to bind the soil, preventing it from washing away during increased wave action due to storms or recreational use. Their deep, fibrous roots hold the soil together and reduce the impact of wave action, which helps maintain the integrity of the shoreline and prevents the loss of land. Non native plants and turf grasses have no soil stabilizing capabilities and fail to adapt to local conditions in the way native plants do. Native plants typically require fewer resources, such as water, fertilizers, and pesticides, compared to non-native species. Since they are well-adapted to the local climate, they are more drought-tolerant and resistant to pests and diseases. This makes them a more sustainable and cost-effective choice for shoreline restoration. In the visual attached, you can see the comparison of root depth in a few different species. You may notice that turf grass has a very shallow root system in comparison to the others, which are native plants. If you have lake or river property, take a look at what is growing near the shoreline and consider taking the appropriate steps to stabilize the soil, to not only prevent erosion into our water, but to maintain the integrity of your property. Rock Rip Rap is also an option for shorelines when it comes to erosion and ice shove, but is not guaranteed to prevent damage. Even when rip rap is installed in the correct quantity, slope, and at the right elevation, ice can still cause extensive damage to a shoreline. In any project that the Forest County Land Conservation/Land Information assists with for shoreline restoration, we always require at least a 4-6 foot buffer of native plantings along a shoreline, whether it be riprapped or not. When doing projects on your shoreline, do not forget to inquire about permits that may be needed. You should contact your local zoning office and the WI DNR before doing work on or near your shoreline.
For more information contact Kayla Littleton, Forest County Land Conservation and Land Information Director at 715-478-1387 or by e-mail at .