Excerpts from Chapters 2 and 3 Excerpts from Chapters 2 and 3

Photo by Jane Herbert

Natural Shoreline Landscapes on Michigan

Inland Lakes

Photo by Jane Herbert

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)

Did you know?

Natural Shoreline Landscapes on Michigan Inland LakesWorkshop for Property OwnersChapter 2: Understanding the Shoreline

Three ‘tiers’ of vegetation◦ Tree canopy

◦ Shrub understory

◦ Herbaceous plants Aquatic, wetland and upland

Natural Shorelines are stable shorelines

Natural Shoreline Landscapes on Michigan Inland LakesWorkshop for Property OwnersChapter 2: Understanding the Shoreline

Horizontal roots stabilize lake-bottom sediments

PROFUNDAL ZONE

Modified from: University of Minnesota Natural Resources Research Institute

PROFUNDAL ZONE

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

1Michigan Wildlife Action Plan (2005)

Natural Shoreline Landscapes on Michigan Inland LakesWorkshop for Property OwnersChapter 2: Understanding the Shoreline

Lawn to the water’s edgeLoss of fish and wildlife habitatNuisance animal habitatShoreline erosion and hardeningLoss of shadeDeadwood removal Sandy beach maintenancePolluted stormwaterExcessive plant growth and algae bloomsOxygen lossRecreation impactsChemical treatment

Natural Shoreline Landscapes on Michigan Inland LakesWorkshop for Property OwnersChapter 2: Understanding the Shoreline

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

Adapted From: Wisconsin DNR

Reduce pollutants entering the lake

Adapted From: Wisconsin DNR

4x

18x

5x 6x

Phosphorus InputsPhosphorus Inputs

Runoff VolumeRunoff Volume

Sediment InputsSediment Inputs

In freshwater aquatic systems 1 unit of phosphorus can produce 500 times its weight in algae. (Wetzel, Limnology, 2nd Edition)

Identify upland cause(s) and source(s):Cause: overland runoff

Source: stormwater collecting on impervious surfaces

Natural Shoreline Landscapes on Michigan Inland LakesWorkshop for Property OwnersChapter 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)

Natural Shoreline Landscapes on Michigan Inland LakesWorkshop for Property OwnersChapter 2: Understanding the Shoreline

Consequences on inland lakes

PROFUNDAL ZONE

Modified from: University of Minnesota Natural Resources Research Institute

Wave energy flanking from neighboring sea wall

Wave energy at vertical sea wall

Natural Shoreline Landscapes on Michigan Inland LakesWorkshop for Property OwnersChapter 2: Understanding the Shoreline

Littoral zone vegetation provides wave attenuation.

Natural Shoreline Landscapes on Michigan Inland LakesWorkshop for Property OwnersChapter 2: Understanding the Shoreline

…uses plants, plant products and special techniques to protect soil surface and create structure within the soil to withstand erosive forces.

Overarching concept of any bioengineering technique is the reintroduction of deep-rooted native plants, creating a system that mimics naturally stable shorelines.

Bioengineered shoreline erosion control: NOT for the faint‐hearted!  

Fetch =  Maximum uninterrupted distance across the lake from your location  * Water Depth

Wind Speeds

Other factors

Depends on:

Wisconsin On-line Erosion Calculator

Natural Shoreline Landscapes on Michigan Inland LakesWorkshop for Property OwnersChapter 2: Understanding the Shoreline

12 inches

Laketypes

Source: Four Townships Water Resources Council

How high does the water get?

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

Ice action along the shoreline

Natural Shoreline Landscapes on Michigan Inland LakesWorkshop for Property OwnersChapter 2: Understanding the Shoreline

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 LakesWorkshop for Property OwnersChapter 4: Design Ideas

High Impact Lake Front Landscape. (Source: MSU Extension)

Lake Front Landscape integrating a more manicured approach with buffers. (Source: MSU Extension)

Lakefront Landscape: different approach. The upland and aquatic zones are outlined. (Source: MSU Extension)

Video: Restoration of a low to moderate energy shoreline

property

Natural shorelines can preserve and/or restore ecological benefits to our lakes.

Photo: Jane Herbert

Questions?

Shoreline and Shallow Conference: Challenges and Successes

March 11, 2015Kellogg Center, MSU

Huron River Watershed Council

MSU Extension

How do we evaluate the Health of a Stream and its watershed?

Riverine Components

(Instream Flow Council)

Water Quality

(US EPA)

HydrologyThe study of water. Hydrology generally focuses on the distribution of water and interaction with the land surface and underlying soils and rocks.

Natural systems were built and are maintainedby different magnitudes of discharge occurring over time and space. (Hill et al. 1991)

Fluvial Geomorpholgy'... the branch of science that studies the landforms associated with river channels and the processes that form them..' (Kellerhals and Church 1989)

Pattern(plan view)

Radius of Curvature

ProfileRiffle

Pool

General Stream Bed Slope

Main ChannelPoint BarFloodplainDimension(cross-section)

Dimension, Pattern, Profile, & Floodprone WidthYield 4 ratios used for stream reach classification

2. W/D ratio = WidthbkfDepthmean

3. Sinuosity = Channel LengthValley Length

4. Slope = Elevation differenceChannel length

1. Entrenchment Ratio = Flood-Prone WidthBankfull Width

All of these ratiosdefine how a streamand its valley handlethe energy of flowingwater, sediment, anddebris

Meandering reduces the slope, or steepness,  of a stream (or a road)

PATTERN

Pages 4‐39 to 4‐47

Pattern and Profile are Intimately Linked

Pattern

Profile

Comparison of “designed” channel dimensions and pattern with a natural channel.

where: is the specific weight of the 

fluid, D is the mean depth, and S is the water surface slope.

Sheer stress

(Rosgen)

Shape of channel affects sediment transport

Ditches are designed to transport water more quickly.

But ditches are inefficient attransporting sediment.

Natural, meandered channelsare the most efficient at transporting both water andsediment

Stream Stability

“Ability of a stream to transport the water & sedimentof its watershed in such a manner as to maintain itsdimension, pattern, and profile, over time, withouteither aggrading or degrading.”

Rosgen and Silvey, 1996

Connectivity

(Instream Flow Council)

Lateral Connectivity

Longitudinal Connectivity

Biology

Habitat•Depth•Velocity•Substrate – bottom material•Cover – hiding

•Avoid being eaten•Eat others (ambush)

Questions?