Landscaping Options – Buffer Zones

  By David Ernes – Lake Management Committee

One only needs to travel to parks with natural lakes and no homes or man-made
structures and see that the water is clear and pristine. But, once we build a house, or for
lake front owners, build a dock, we disturb the natural state of the land. In the 2007
National Lakes Assessment, a study of thousands of lakes across the continental US,
lakeshore habitat changes was the number one stressor for a lake’s biological condition.
When we make changes to the land, we replace porous soil with impervious concrete or
asphalt. We remove local plants and trees and replace then with lawns and open spaces.
All of this makes significant changes in the lake quality. Erosion can become an issue,
introducing sediment into the lake. The natural ability of plants and trees to remove
excess nutrients is eliminated.

So, what can be done? You may have heard the term “buffer zones” or riparian
zones. This is an approach where the area between a lawn and the lakeshore is modified
by planting bushes and materials that will reduce erosion and filter run-off from reaching
the lake. There are numerous articles on the Internet describing the types of plants that
are most beneficial.

As one travels on our lake, you can see that almost all lakefront properties are
unique. The slope of the land, the shape or the shoreline, and the proximity of our
neighbors all make for unique situations. Not every situation can add a buffer zone at the
shore. However, that does not mean that we cannot help. If one is thinking of making
changes to their lawn and shoreline, take a look at the area. Can you use a rip-rap (use of
rocks for shoreline control of erosion) instead of a retaining wall? Are there open areas
next to your dock that you can have plants run up to the shoreline. If you have a steep
slope, can you have a buffer zone before the slope that can trap and prevent the edge from
eroding, and filter run-off from the yard. Think before removing large trees near the
shore.

And, you don’t need to just be on the lakeshore to use this approach. Many lots
back into a field, creek, ditch, culvert or drain, which eventually winds its way into the
lake. Keeping a buffer from the end of the lawn can reduce the run-off from lawns to
keep the nutrient levels in check.

There are numerous examples where this approach has lead to an improvement in
water quality. The Wisconsin Lakeshore Restoration Project is one example. The
Portland Water District has a brochure titled “Lakes Like Less Lawn”, their program for
environmental landscaping for water quality. So, if you are looking to make changes to
your landscaping, consider the design and see if you can include bushes, trees and other
plant material to improve not only your lot but the lake as well.

BE LAKE RESPONSIBLE