Lake Erie Shoreline Protection & Improvements
The shores of Lake Erie face pressure from waves, weather, and time. Once erosion begins the damage is often irreversible.
The good news? With proper protection, we can put a stop to erosion so you can enjoy the water with peace of mind. We can also add staircases for safe access and boat ramps for easier launching.
Since 1996, Lakeshore Guys have helped property owners across the Great Lakes stop shoreline erosion, stabilize vulnerable terrain, and build lasting access to their waterfronts.
With our riprap shoreline installation, custom staircases, and durable boat ramps, you can:
- Prevent erosion and protect your property value
- Stabilize bluffs, slopes, and shoreline edges
- Access the lake safely, no matter your terrain
Contact us to discuss your property, or read on to learn more about Lake Erie and how we can help.
Lake Erie: Shallow, Stormy, and Always Changing
Named after the Erie people who lived along its southern shore, Lake Erie is the shallowest of the Great Lakes. It averages just 62 feet deep across its 9,910 square miles. That shallow depth makes it the warmest and most biologically productive of the Great Lakes.
It has seen everything from the War of 1812’s Battle of Lake Erie to decades of heavy shipping traffic carrying steel and coal. Local folklore includes “Bessie,” a serpent-like lake monster reportedly sighted since 1817, now embraced as part of the region’s character. Lake Erie has been called the “Walleye Capital of the World” and supports a thriving sport fishing industry.
The shoreline and depth varies dramatically from west to east. The western basin around Toledo has marshland and sandy beaches. Clay bluffs dominate the central basin near Cleveland. The eastern basin near Buffalo has steep banks and rocky shores. Water depth increases from west to east, averaging 24 feet in the west, 60 feet in the center, and reaching 210 feet in the east.
Being relatively shallow means Lake Erie warms faster in spring, freezes over more often than the other Great Lakes, and responds quickly to changing weather conditions.
Lake Erie Shoreline Problems
Waves & Storm Surge
Lake Erie can quickly generate strong waves. Its shallow depth means waves hit the bottom sooner, making them steeper and more powerful when they reach the shore.
Even moderate storms can tear out landscaping, undercut seawalls, and collapse unprotected slopes. Storm surges can flood entire properties, and the rapid changes make Lake Erie particularly dangerous for boaters.
Eastern shoreline bluffs are especially vulnerable to wave-cut erosion and undercutting from storm waves.
Ice Push & Ice Shove
Erie is the Great Lake most likely to freeze over completely, happening roughly every 3-4 winters. Ice expansion can generate forces up to 30,000 pounds per square foot. As that ice breaks up in late winter, wind can shove massive sheets of it ashore. Ice has pushed over 150 feet inland, toppling trees and damaging structures. Without a shoreline built to deflect and absorb that pressure, damage is almost guaranteed.
Water Level Fluctuations
From 2014 to 2020, water levels rose to record highs, then dropped 2 to 4 feet by 2025. When water rises, wave action reaches areas that may have been safely set back for decades. The resulting erosion damage is usually permanent, even after lake levels eventually recede.
Bluff Instability
In areas with clay and silt bluffs—particularly along Pennsylvania’s coast and Ohio’s central shore—erosion at the base plus water saturation from above can cause sudden bluff failures.
When water infiltrates cracks and freezes, it expands 9% by volume, progressively loosening soil and widening fissures. Spring snowmelt elevates groundwater levels, making saturated slopes prone to spontaneous failure when undercut by wave action.
Muskrat Undermining
Muskrats thrive in Lake Erie’s shallow western marshes and create serious threats to shoreline stability. Their tunnels often remain invisible until they collapse, forming sinkholes in yards, and undermining shoreline structures.
Shoreline Protection: Stop Erosion Now
Once part of your shoreline is lost, it’s extremely difficult—often impossible—to fully recover it.
Our riprap shorelines focus on two critical needs: immediately stopping further erosion and stabilizing shoreline that has already been damaged.
Riprap (large, durable stones carefully positioned along the shore) creates a strong barrier that disperses wave energy before it can reach your property. This protection is especially important for bluff properties, where preventing toe erosion at the base is needed for long-term slope stability.
Even during high water levels, severe storms, and ice pressure events, our shorelines continue protecting your investment when other solutions fail.
Riprap is also effective at deterring burrowing animals like muskrats from undermining the shoreline. Our solution includes installing PVC-coated steel Muskrat Mesh™ under shoreline materials, extending both above and below the waterline to deter burrowing.
For properties that have already experienced significant erosion, our stabilization process strengthens what remains and creates a protective barrier that preserves your remaining shoreline. While we can’t recover what’s already gone to Lake Erie, we can help make sure you don’t lose more valuable property.
While other solutions often require expensive periodic replacement, our riprap shorelines need very little maintenance. You won’t find yourself in the cycle of repairs that plague many Lake Erie properties with poorly designed shorelines.
When you choose Lakeshore Guys, you’re investing in both immediate protection and long-term peace of mind.
Custom Aluminum Staircases: Safe Shoreline Access
Steep banks, bluffs, or dunes shouldn’t prevent you from enjoying your Lake Erie waterfront. Our custom aluminum staircases provide safe and durable access.
Aluminum resists the humidity, shore ice, lake-effect snow, and UV exposure that can damage other materials over time.
We design each staircase to fit your property’s characteristics. Whether your terrain requires complex switchbacks down a towering bluff or a direct route along a moderate slope, our custom designs work with your specific situation.
Many customers tell us their staircase dramatically increased the enjoyment of their property simply by providing reliable, worry-free access to the waterfront they already owned but couldn’t easily reach.
Looking for a material other than aluminum?
While aluminum makes a great staircase, it isn’t the only option. We can build you a durable staircase out of a wide range of other materials, including:
Lumber. A classic look that blends well with wooded properties. Lumber is usually the most practical choice for extra steep slopes, because we can customize it to any rise or run.
Prefabricated concrete. Clean, modern appearance with excellent durability. Many colors and blends are available. It’s our #1 best-seller.
Flagstone. Elegant natural stone that complements traditional landscaping with rough-hewn charm.
Sawn boulders. Heavy-duty construction for the most challenging terrain.
Each material has its advantages depending on your property’s style, usage needs, and the specific conditions of your shoreline.
Boat Ramps Built to Last
Enjoy easier water access with a boat ramp designed for anything Lake Erie can throw its way.
Our textured surfaces give reliable traction for safe footing while helping protect your boat from damage during launching and retrieving. The consistent slope works effectively during various water level conditions.
Segmented Concrete. A good choice for many Lake Erie properties, prefabricated concrete segments are bolted together and secured onto a bed of compacted gravel. The small gaps between segments are filled with more compacted gravel, creating drainage channels that prevent washout.
Recycled Timber. An environmentally friendly option that provides excellent traction and blends beautifully with natural surroundings.
Gravel. For lighter watercraft or more protected areas, a gravel ramp offers a simple appearance while providing good launch capabilities.
During the first major storm or significant water level change, when many standard ramps fail, yours will remain intact and functional.
Contact Lakeshore Guys to Give Your Stretch of Lake Erie New Life
If enjoying your part of the lake 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. Contact Lakeshore Guys today for a consultation.