Lakeshore landscaping

I wanted to post something here about a client of mine because I am so pleased with his lakeshore ethic. We always harp on this forum about people coming to the lakes and then wanting to establish bluegrass lawns that are irrigated and then mown right to the lake's edge. This gent has a property on Mary Lake just east of Emily which he recently purchased. It has some erosion problems that he hired me to help him with. The gravel road just behind his home is five ft. higher than his property so water runs off the road toward his house. Like many of the lakes in this area wave action from large boats and jet skis is eroding his lakeshore. For most people riprap seems to be the answer. Thank goodness this chap is not interested in damaging the lake further. Here is what we are doing.

1. We will be working with the DNR to do aquatic vegetation plantings in the lake. This will minimize the wave action and provide valuable habitat for fish and other critters. Most people want to remove the natural vegetation which is the worst thing to do.
2. We will be establishing a no-mow zone ten ft. in from the edge of the gravel road. Nature will take its course with native plants like the interupted ferns and large leaf aster moving in. This will provide better root systems and reduce the velocity of runoff.
3. We will be establishing a no-mow zone back an additional four ft. from the lake. Again nature will take its course with native plants taking over.
4. We will be planting Pennsylvania sedge in areas that are now bare and sandy.
5. We will be establishing a defined walkway to the lake using turfstone to keep people from walking at random. The turfstone has large holes in it which allows water to pass through it.

Best of all this gent will spend more time enjoying the lake and less time mowing, while protecting his property and the lake at the same time.