What is shore protection and when is it necessary?

The force of water is so great that it can destroy the shore. Even a light wave in a lake or pond washes away the soil. The ground can subside, forming a landslide. If there is an embankment or highway nearby, there is a chance it could start to collapse. A landslide can even cause a house to sag and develop cracks in it. To avoid this, you need to reinforce the bank. This is done in several ways.

What is bank protection

Strengthening the shoreline means erecting structures that prevent waves from eroding the shore. Such materials and technologies are most commonly used for this purpose:

• Gabions are volumetric frames woven from galvanized metal wire. It does not deteriorate when exposed to moisture. The structure has a cover. Gabions are placed on the bank, covered with geotextiles, and fixed with armature or wooden stakes. They are filled with stones, soil and cover the lid. Gabions can be tied together with wire or other types of fasteners. Blocks are installed vertically, in terraces or as a horizontal covering.
• A geogrid consisting of large cells is placed on the shore and filled with crushed stone and soil. Plants can be planted on top of it. They additionally strengthen the shore with their root system and decorate it.
• Polymer piles are installed vertically to strengthen the shore. To position the elements, hydraulic equipment is used.
• Piles of waterproof wood are placed along the vertical bank. It is not only a protection from the water, but also a decorative decoration of the embankment. Piles are not installed in loose soil, because they will not be able to fix. They require rocky soil.
• Metal sheet piles are installed on a steep bank. These are shields with a decorative design, bent edges and special locks for fixing. They are installed using a vibrating machine, so this type of shore protection is expensive.
• If the bank is small and the water is shallow, it is strengthened with coconut fiber biomats, the soil is planted with plants with a strong root system.
• The banks along the reservoirs are poured with concrete. It turns out a sturdy structure. However, it does not look as attractive as other types of constructions for coastal protection.

When shore protection is necessary

The shoreline is strengthened in such cases:

• The area near the sea is washed out during a storm, the waves bring stones and debris.
• When creating an artificial lake, it is necessary to strengthen the bottom and shore. Then the water will not escape into the soil.
• There are buildings or a road not far from the reservoir.
• The shoreline of clay and earth looks untended.
• A steep bank that is crumbling creates turbidity in the water.

If the shoreline is not framed with natural rocks, the soil around the water is constantly wet. River currents or waves wash it into the water. This creates conditions for the pond or lake to bloom. Therefore, even if the water does not create landslides, protective and decorative design with shore protection structures is necessary for an attractive waterfront design.