Gull Lake Chain Shoreline Restoration: Stop Erosion & Start Enjoying Your Property
We can fix up your shoreline on Nisswa Lake, Gull Lake, Upper Gull, Roy Lake, Spider Lake, Bass Lake, Round Lake, Love Lake, and Lake Margaret.
Surrounded by forests in the heart of Minnesota, the Gull Lake Chain is known for its clear waters, excellent fishing, and popularity as a summer tourist destination. Thousands visit each year, but a select few own property along its shores, enjoying the lake seasonally or full time.
As one of these property owners, the tourists might envy you, but you know that owning lakefront land is not all postcard sunsets. Erosion is a fact of life where water meets land, and if erosion has damaged your shoreline on the Gull Lake Chain, what was once a great spot for relaxation may now give you a headache every time you think of it.
You didn’t buy lakefront land to worry about how much closer the water will get to your doorstep. The good news is that you can stop erosion and start enjoying your lakeside again. Since 1996, Lakeshore Guys® has helped Minnesotans protect their waterfront properties. With our riprap installation and other solutions, we can stop erosion and build the infrastructure you need to enjoy your shoreline. Contact us to discuss your situation and to book an on-site consultation, or read on to find out more.
About Gull Lake & the Gull Lake Chain
Gull Lake is located about 10 miles northwest of Brainerd and is the largest body of water in the Gull Chain of Lakes. If you live on Gull Lake, your shoreline is in Nisswa, Lake Shore, East Gull Lake, or Brainerd.
Gull Lake covers nearly 10,000 acres and has 38 miles of shoreline, making it a great spot for fishing, boating, and other water activities.
The lake’s name comes from the numerous seagulls seen by European explorers and settlers. Gull Lake became a popular destination for tourism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with resorts and recreational facilities transforming the area into a center of lively activity in tourist season.
The fishing is top notch, with species like walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, and bluegill. The lake sees events like the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza in February, which is the world’s largest charitable ice fishing contest, and the Minnesota Fishing Challenge in June.
The Gull Lake Chain is larger, and includes 13,000 acres of interconnected lakes, including Nisswa Lake, Gull Lake, Upper Gull, Roy Lake, Spider Lake, Bass Lake, Round Lake, Love Lake, and Lake Margaret. Whichever lake your shoreline is on, we can help.
Problems Around the Gull Lake Chain
In winter the lake experiences a phenomenon known as ice push or ice heave. This happens when expanding ice exerts pressure on the shoreline, tearing it up, and accelerating erosion. The north shore, often exposed to strong winds, is particularly susceptible to this type of damage.
Boat wakes can erode the shoreline over time. This is especially true for the south shore, where popular resorts and marinas like those found around Cragun’s Resort and Madden’s result in heavy boat traffic. The waves from these boats can cause a lot of erosion during peak boating season. The high density of residences and docks on the south shore increases the likelihood of shoreline destabilization caused by human activity.
The west shore, often hit by westerly winds, experiences continuous wave action that accelerates erosion.
Muskrats can also be a problem on all sides of the lake. They may swim to your shoreline, burrow under your land, and leave behind sinkholes that eventually collapse or erode.
Stop Erosion Now
Only a properly installed riprap shoreline can halt the erosion. Riprap consists of large stones strategically placed along the shore, on top of a special layer of geotextile filter fabric. Riprap not only protects your land, but also makes your property easier on the eyes, while still blending in with your surroundings.
Your local landscaper is unable to build a riprapped shoreline that’s sturdy enough to stand the test of time, let alone to halt erosion. Technically they can build one, and they’ll say it’s easy, and it might even look nice – for a season or two. Then it will crumble like old Play-Doh and you’ll need to get it rebuilt. Our shorelines stay put.
For muskrats, we have a way to keep them and similar mischief makers away, so as to preserve the safety and beauty of your land.
We use a 72″ proprietary galvanized muskrat-resistant fabric, called Muskrat Mesh™. This fabric covers several feet of your shoreline above water, as well as extending into the water a few more feet, which helps prevent muskrats from being able to burrow into the shore at, above, and below the water’s edge. Hardening this area with thick fabric and steel wire makes it much harder for the muskrats to dig into your shoreline, and much easier to swim away and try it somewhere else.
We’ve seen just about every riverbank and shoreline problem imaginable. We have tested, proven methods of managing them, so you can enjoy your waterfront property to the fullest.
Infrastructure: Constructing a Staircase Down to the River
Whether you prefer the durability of metal, the ease and efficiency of lumber, or the rough-hewn charm of stone, our custom-designed staircases and steps provide safe and attractive access to your part of the lake. We can build you a staircase out of a wide range of materials, including:
- Lumber
- Prefabricated concrete
- Metal
- Stone (e.g., flagstone)
- Sawn boulders
Once you can get down to the water more easily, you can start to enjoy it more. Then you may also want a boat ramp, a sand beach, a patio, or other amenities.
Check out photos of some of the waterfront staircases we’ve designed and installed.
Contact Lakeshore Guys® to Give Your Stretch of Lake New Life
If enjoying your part of the Gull Lake Chain requires you to halt the erosion and make your shoreline more solid, then you’re in luck. Our DNR-approved practices, shoreline innovations, in-depth explanations of our processes, photos, videos, and best-in-industry reviews make your next step a clear and easy one. Whether your shoreline is in Nisswa, Lake Shore, East Gull Lake, or Brainerd, we can help. Contact Lakeshore Guys® today for a consultation.