Figure 1 - Sand Fencing

Figure 2 - Revegetating Beaches

Restoration of Natural Defenses

Restoration of a natural shoreline is restoration of natural shoreline defenses against the natural processes that cause erosion.

Restoration includes installing sand fencing (Figure 1), nourishing and retaining beaches, revegetating beaches (Figure 2) and slopes, reconstructing dunes and beach ridges, creating or restoring wetlands, and removing failed and failing shore protection structures.

Where there are diminished supplies of sand and gravel for beach-building, restoration materials may come from upland sources such as sand and gravel pits. When climate change brings low lake levels, most restoration activities should be easier to accomplish. Coastal wetland restoration may be an exception. Restoration efforts will be impeded by damaging storm waves riding ashore on high lake levels and by more frequent and/or more intense precipitation events.