The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority has released three new fact sheets to help property owners deal with erosion along the Lake Huron shoreline.
Water and Planning Manager Geoff Cade said unusually high water levels have resulted in some serious erosion along the shoreline.
“But the three new ones that we released were about how to construct access in bluff areas as the bluff erodes due to the higher water," Cade said. "People are starting to lose their stairs, so we have some policies which would speak to constructing new accesses and this fact sheet provides that information.”
Cade suggested vegetation can be a very effective buffer.
“Dune grass, when it established itself, tends to catch sand as it migrates off the beach and that's what causes dunes to form. And those dunes are important to buffer landowners from erosion occurring at the lake, it slows down the lake.”
Cade said where the bluff is very steep, vegetation is not likely going to be very effective in reducing the rate of erosion. But he adds, when the water levels start to drop, vegetation can help to reduce the rate of erosion.
Cade said the fact sheets are available on the ABCA's website on the Shoreline Management page.
