Lake Michigan Riprap Shorelines, Custom Staircases, & Boat Ramps
Are you watching your Lake Michigan shoreline wash away? Is it tough to access your own waterfront property – let alone enjoy it?
We can help. Since 1996, Lakeshore Guys has helped property owners stop erosion, stabilize damaged shorelines, and create beautiful waterfronts that provide years of stress-free enjoyment. With our riprap shorelines, custom aluminum staircases, and boat ramps, you can:
- Protect your property value and prevent further land loss
- Gain safe, convenient access to your waterfront
- Create a beautiful shoreline that adds to your property’s appeal
Don’t let shoreline issues rob you of the lakefront lifestyle. Contact us to tell us what would complete your shoreline, or read on to learn more about how we help Lake Michigan property owners.
The Many Shores of Lake Michigan
Standing by the water, it’s easy to forget you’re not looking at an ocean. The horizon stretches beyond sight and severe storms can make waves higher than 20 feet. Lake Michigan is the third-largest of the Great Lakes by surface area and the only one located entirely within the United States.
The 1,640 miles of shoreline varies dramatically as you travel along it. The eastern shore has magnificent sand dunes rising over 400 feet at Sleeping Bear Dunes, while the western shore has Chicago’s urban development and Wisconsin‘s dramatic limestone bluffs.
A wide range of properties have been built on this shoreline, from modest homes to mansions reaching several million dollars. However, the same waters that make Lake Michigan homes desirable also present significant challenges for property owners.
Unlike smaller inland lakes, Lake Michigan functions more like an ocean, with strong currents, substantial wave energy, and water level fluctuations that can significantly and rapidly alter shorelines.
To protect your Lake Michigan shoreline property, you need solutions specifically designed for these demanding conditions.
Lake Michigan Shoreline Problems
Powerful Waves
The lake’s large open-water distance allows waves to build energy as wind blows across the surface, particularly during northerly storms when waves can reach heights of 10-20 feet. In the fall of 2020, properties near New Buffalo, Michigan saw 8-15 feet of shoreline disappear in a single storm that generated 15-foot waves.
Water Level Fluctuations
Lake Michigan has experienced dramatic water level swings, rising over 5 feet in just 2 years (2013-2015) after hitting record lows. During the 2019-2020 record high levels, hundreds of properties saw beaches completely submerged, seawalls destroyed, and bluffs destabilized. Many homes that once had more than 50 feet of beach now had waves directly hitting their property.
Extreme Weather Events
Intense storms can cause years’ worth of erosion in a single day. During major storm events, particularly in fall and spring, Lake Michigan’s waves can wash away unprotected landscaping, decks, and staircases. In 2019, Michigan experienced what was described as “the most destructive storm in over 30 years,” causing significant damage to beaches, structures, and property values along Lake Michigan’s shoreline. The damage from a single 24-48 hour storm can often exceed what would normally occur over several years of normal conditions.
Ice Heaving & Ice Push
During winter freezes, expanding ice sheets can exert tremendous forces against shorelines. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, ice expansion can generate pressures of up to 30,000 pounds per square foot. On Lake Michigan shorelines, this force can displace soil, create pressure ridges, and severely damage seawalls, docks, and other structures unless proper protective measures are in place to safely divert the pressure.
Bluff Instability
Many Lake Michigan properties sit atop bluffs 30-100 feet high that become increasingly unstable with each erosion cycle. In recent years, multiple homes have been condemned or required emergency demolition as bluff failures brought them perilously close to—or in some cases, over—the edge. In January 2020, a cottage near Montague, Michigan that had been in the family since the 1930s crashed off a bluff into Lake Michigan after erosion undermined its foundation.
Shoreline Protection: Stop Erosion Now
Once the shoreline is lost to Lake Michigan, it’s extremely difficult—often impossible—to recover fully.
Our riprap shorelines focus on two critical needs: immediately stopping further erosion and stabilizing shoreline that has already been damaged.
Unlike temporary solutions that require frequent maintenance, our riprap shorelines are specifically designed to withstand Lake Michigan’s waters. Riprap creates a strong barrier that disperses wave energy. Even during challenging water levels and severe storms, our shorelines continue to protect your property when other solutions fail.
For properties that have already experienced significant erosion, our stabilization process strengthens what remains, prevents additional loss, and creates a protective barrier that preserves your remaining shoreline. While we can’t recover what Lake Michigan has already claimed, we can help make sure you don’t lose more valuable property to the water’s relentless forces.
While other solutions often require expensive periodic replacement, our riprap shorelines require minimal maintenance, eliminating the cycle of repairs that plague many Lake Michigan properties.
When you choose Lakeshore Guys, you’re investing in both immediate protection and long-term peace of mind.
Custom Aluminum Staircases: Safe Shoreline Access
Aluminum staircase built on hillside down to shoreline
Steep banks, bluffs, or dunes shouldn’t prevent you from enjoying your Lake Michigan waterfront. Our custom aluminum staircases provide safe and durable access.
Quality aluminum construction withstands Lake Michigan’s harsh environment, season after season. It resists the humidity, ice, and UV exposure that can damage other materials over time.
We design each staircase to fit your property’s unique 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
- Prefabricated concrete
- Flagstone
- Sawn boulders
Boat Ramps Built to Last
Completed boat ramp as seen from the water
Enjoy easier water access with a boat ramp designed for anything Lake Michigan can throw its way.
Segmented Concrete: A good choice for many Lake Michigan properties, prefabricated concrete segments are bolted together and secured onto a bed of perfectly graded and compacted gravel. The small gaps between segments are filled with more compacted gravel, creating drainage channels that prevent washout.
Gravel: For lighter watercraft or more protected areas, a gravel ramp offers a natural appearance while providing good launch capabilities.
Recycled Timber: An environmentally friendly option that provides excellent traction and blends beautifully with natural surroundings.
The details make the difference in both durability and usability. Our textured surfaces provide 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.
The true value of professional engineering becomes apparent during the first major storm or significant water level change, when many standard ramps fail while ours remain intact and functional.
Contact Lakeshore Guys to Give Your Stretch of Lake Michigan 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.
