Healthy Shorelines.
Healthier Lake.
A natural shoreline protects water quality, reduces erosion, and supports fish and wildlife.
What is Shoreline Preservation?
The shoreline is where the land and lake meet and it's one of the most important places for protecting water quality and lake health.
Native trees, shrubs, grasses and wildflowers create a natural buffer that filters rainwater, stabilizes sandy shorelines, and provides habitat for fish and wildlife. When this vegetation is replaced with mowed lawns or hard surfaces, more phosphorus, sediment and other pollutants wash into the lake, increasing the risk of algae blooms, erosion and invasive species
​
Why It Matters
A healthy shoreline benefits the entire lake, not just the property where it's located. Natural vegetation helps keep the water cleaner and clearer, protects fish and wildlife habitat, and reduces erosion caused by waves and heavy rains.
​
Native shoreline plants also require less mowing, watering and maintenance once established. By preserving or restoring your shoreline, you're helping protect the clean water, healthy ecosystem and natural beauty of Gilmore Lake.​​​
LANDSCAPED SHORELINE
NATURAL SHORELINE
-
Lawn extends to water's edge
​
-
Rain runoff carries phosphorus and fertilizers into the lake
​
-
Less habitat for fish, birds and pollinators
​
-
Removing native shoreline plants creates opportunities for Eurasian watermilfoil to spread
​
-
Requires more mowing and maintenance
-
Native plants naturally filter runoff before it reaches the lake
​
-
Helps keep water cleaner and clearer
​
-
Stabilizes sandy banks with deep root systems
​
-
Provides habitat for fish and wildlife​
​
-
Beautiful, low-maintenance landscaping once established
Five Ways You Can Help
1. Keep a Natural Shoreline Buffer
Allow native grasses, shrubs and wildflowers to grow along the water's edge. Even a relatively narrow buffer helps filter runoff, stabilize sandy shorelines and provide habitat for fish and wildlife.
2. Limit Fertilizer Use
Avoid applying fertilizer near the shoreline. Rain can wash phosphorus and other nutrients into the lake, contributing to algae blooms and excessive aquatic plant growth.
3. Preserve Native Shoreline Plants
Before clearing vegetation or expanding a beach, consider how native shoreline plants help protect water quality. Keeping natural vegetation in place also makes it more difficult for invasive species such as Eurasian watermilfoil to become established.
4. Reduce Runoff
Direct roof gutters, driveways and other runoff away from the lake whenever possible. Rain gardens, native plantings and permeable surfaces help keep stormwater where it belongs.
5. Learn Before You Landscape
If you're planning shoreline improvements, contact the Washburn County Land & Water Conservation Department for information about best practices and restoration assistance.
Download the Washburn County Shoreline Restoration Program brochure for practical ideas, examples of native shoreline plantings, and information about technical assistance and cost-sharing opportunities.