Why Natural Shorelines? Michigan's inland lakes need them!

The loss of natural shorelines is the biggest threat to the overall health of Michigan Lakes.
 The National Lake Assessment  (NLA) results indicate that inland lakes across the nation need better care. Overall, the water quality in Michigan's inland lakes is really good.  However, the Michigan results of the National Lake Assessment indicate that, lakeshore habitat and physical lakeshore complexity are major stressors for Michigan lakes with over 50% having poor lake habitat complexity.  This means our lakes are losing too much natural vegetation both on the land and in the water. ​

​50% of inland lakes have POOR nearshore habitat!
Graphic:  2012 National Lakes Assessment - Michigan Results MDEQ
A shoreline without development.
Native plants along lake shores are in the right place from nature's perspective.  If you look at a lake that has little to no development the shoreline will typically have three (3) tiers of vegetation:  

1) Trees (canopy)
2) Shrubs 
3) Plants (in the lake and on the land)
What fish and wildlife are at risk?
Inland lakes support a high number of different kinds of fish and wildlife both on the land and in the water.  The near-shore (littoral zone) areas of inland lakes are some of the most diverse areas.  
Keep the Plants! They aren't "just weeds"!
Did you know many of the things that you love about lake front living depend on natural vegetation?   A healthy (natural) shoreline has a variety of trees, shrubs and plants.  These plants are doing "work" by supporting a large variety of fish and wildlife.  In many situations when humans come along many plants instantly become "weeds" especially the plants in the near shore area in the lake (littoral zone).  When lakeshore lots are developed native trees, shrubs and plants are typically replaced by lawns and the plants are also removed from in the lake.   Once the vegetation is gone the fish and wildlife are gone too!  Michigan stands to lose a lot since fish and wildlife can't just "go someplace else". Each bird, frog, butterfly, fish, turtle etc have different requirements for what they need for food, for nesting, raising young and staying safe.
Is it a Goose or Lawn Problem?
If you have ever complained about Canada geese on your lakefront property you probably have a lawn problem not a goose problem.  The reason? 
  • Canada geese are grazers. This means lawns are perfect for them because lawns offer an all you can eat buffet!  Creating an expansive lawn at the lakeshore is an invitation for Canada geese to come to your property. 
  • Big lawns are safe places.  Lawns are safe because there are no places for predators to hide which means these areas are safer for geese to raise their young. 
  • What to do? Maintaining natural vegetation at the lakeshore helps to discourage geese and other waterfowl from your property. They might still go through the taller vegetation but they will typically choose the property that has easy access to lawn.  Adding some trees and shrubs helps break up the site lines so it discourages them from landing too. 
See what Sebastian says!
Restore Your Shore
Every lakefront lot that has a lawn has the potential to have some native vegetation added back.  This is going to look different for every property.  Big or small - every property can have some native vegetation restored.  There are many ways to be creative!  Identify your priorities and create a plan.   

Share the Shore
Graphics by Kristen Faasse for MNSP

Welcome Geese!

This property offers very little habitat, is unprotected from erosion and attracts geese. 

Sharing the Shore

This property is sharing the shore and yet still has some lawn. 

Sharing the Shore More!

This property is sharing the shore more and still offers relaxing and playing options. 
Ask yourself "Do I really need all that lawn?"  
You can create an aesthetically appealing lakefront landscape without great expanses of lawn and still provide lake access, relaxing and entertaining areas for your enjoyment. ​
Natural Vegetation helps the lake in many other ways by:
  1.  Slowing and filtering stormwater runoff as it moves towards the lake to help keep it clean.
  2. Allowing water to soak into the ground rather than becoming runoff. 
  3. ​Helping to protect the lake edge from wave and ice erosion.
​Showing Runoff from impervious surfaces.​
                             Graphic: Amelia Hansen
 Stormwater Runoff
As lakefront lots are developed natural vegetation is also replaced by impervious (hard) surfaces such as driveways, rooftops and parking areas which do not allow water to soak into the ground. This water becomes  stormwater runoff.  This water used to soak into the ground and very slowly make it's way to the lake underground. This water can now quickly make it the especially if the stormwater directly piped storm to a lake.  This stormwater runoff has the potential to carry pollutants to lakes.  

Ever wonder?
  • What would happen to your lake if someone spilled gasoline or oil next to your storm drain? 
  • Where all that road/driveway salt goes as it runs off into the storm drain or ditch?
  • What happens to the fertilizer and herbicides/pesticides you are using? 

What to do instead? 
​Keeping impervious surfaces to a minimum such as not over building on your lot and using rain gardens instead of storm sewers helps to allow water to soak into the ground instead of running off into the lake. 
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