REDUCTION OF RAPID SHORELINE EROSION ALONG LAKE
SUPERIOR IN PARADISE, MICHIGAN BY NATURAL
VEGETATION APPLICATIONS

Phillip Simman
Department of Natural Resources
Lake Superior State University
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

Abstract. Erosion is the process that loosens sediment and moves it from one place to
another on the Earth's surface. Agents of erosion include water, ice, wind and gravity.
The erosion process occurs on coastal shorelines, as well as, on lake shorelines.
The rapid rate of erosion along Lake Superior shorelines in Paradise, Michigan are
primarily resulting from wind and water action. Which can remove up to 40 ft. of beach
in a single day. In order to reduce this rapid reduction of shoreline, several methods of
vegetation coverage were adopted from the NRCS and applied to the shorelines of Lake
Superior.
	In order to assure an accurate test, three sites were chosen along Lake Superior
Shorelines. The second test plot was placed on the Clark's beach and comprised of
transplanting Equisetum (Horsetail) into vacant spots within the existing vegetation. The
Equisetum was planted in a staggered manor about foot apart from each other when ever
possible. The first test plot was place on the Lockwood's beach. Here two metbods were
adopted from the NRCS's field engineering guide book for sandy sloped river channels.
These two methods are Fascine Bundles and Live Stakes. The third and final application
was applied to the Synder's property, located on the north shore of Whitefish Point. This
involved the use of an erosion blanket that was install within the test plot. This blanket is
comprised of two UV protected plastic nets that sandwich coconut fibers within them.
The blanket acts as a cover for the underlying soil, as well as, a shield from the erosion
agents. The blanket allows for the penetration of light and water, which is necessary for
plant growth.
	After carefull monitoring of the test plots for a given season, the data was gathered and
processed. The data did not support the idea that natural vegetation would or wouldn't
control rapid shoreline erosion. The only conclusions that could be determine
were that the live stakes showed positive signs of growth and that the erosion
blankets were also showing adequate signs of growth.

NRCS	Engineering Field Guide, Part 2 1988. Prepared by the USDA, Soil Conservation
Service.

Skinner, Brian J. and Porter, Stephen C. The Dynarnic Earth. John Wiley &
Sons,Inc.. Canada. 199O.