How to Stop Waterfront Erosion

Plant moisture-absorbing vegetation in the area, especially waterfront bluffs. The roots of these plants stabilize the ground, buffer waves and trap sediment as the tide comes in and out. The best plants are trees with a good, sturdy root system.

Install rain gutters, septic systems and drain fields away from the area that you have erosion issues with. Controlling water runoff keeps sand and silt in place better. Direct the runoff in a parallel fashion from the shoreline.

Keep vehicles, paved areas, heavy buildings and structures away from the waterfront. The weight from the buildings and vehicles increase erosion. Paved areas increase water runoff which may wash away valuable soil. Relocate structures if you can for best results.

Build retaining walls or place rock-filled baskets, cable-connected concrete blocks or an open-cell plastic grid along the waterfront. The strength and durability of these materials keep the soil in place.

Add stone and rocks along the waterfront in a gently sloping manner. Use jagged rocks instead of rounded ones. Having a sloping beach prevents water from reaching higher areas on the waterfront. As the tide comes in and out, the slope buffers the water instead of taking valuable deposits out with the tide. This works well if you slope the area around a high bluff as many layers are affected by direct water exposure on the face of the bluff.