Lotus Lake Shoreline Restoration: Stop Erosion & Start Enjoying Your Property
For thousands of years, cultures across the world have considered the lotus to be a symbol of purity, enlightenment, and tranquility. But if you own land on the shores of Lotus Lake that’s eroding before your eyes, you may not feel very tranquil.
Recognizing the impermanence of all things is great for meditation – not for shorelines. We want those to stay put. The good news is 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 halt erosion, fend off muskrats, and build the infrastructure you need to more fully enjoy Lotus Lake.
Don’t let erosion worries keep you from attaining shoreline bliss. Contact us to discuss your situation or to book an on-site consultation, or read on to find out more.
About Lotus Lake
Located near downtown Chanhassen, Lotus Lake covers over 240 acres and is surrounded by residential development – often beautiful homes in Chanhassen.
It got its name from the American lotus flowers that used to grow abundantly along its shores. Sometimes called “Lotus Pond” because of its relatively small size, the lake’s calm waters and accessibility make it great for boating, canoeing, and kayaking at all skill levels. It’s a convenient place to go fishing, with species like largemouth bass, bluegill, northern pike, and walleye.
Only 20 miles from Minneapolis, and a short drive from the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Lotus Lake is a popular destination for both residents and visitors. North Lotus Lake Park and the lake itself are a community focal point, hosting many events and gatherings every year.
Shoreline Problems
Lotus Lake is 1.5 miles long but only half a mile wide, giving it over twice the shoreline as a similar sized round lake. More shore means more opportunity for erosion. Sure enough, Lotus Lake has experienced significant issues due to several factors:
- High water levels from rainfall or snowmelt saturate the soil, making it more susceptible to breakup or being washed away.
- As ice forms and expands, it pushes against the shoreline, loosening soil and displacing vegetation. This is called ice heave or ice push and has chewed up many shorelines.
- Waves generated by boats repeatedly impacting the shoreline gradually wear it down.
- Muskrats dig into the banks, creating tunnel networks that later collapse, destabilizing the soil and leading to more erosion.
These factors create a vicious cycle of soil loss and vegetation damage that makes the area unstable and prone to more erosion. Things got bad enough that in 2018, the City of Chanhassen, working with the Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District, began erosion control efforts. They added native plants and restored natural habitats, planting deep-rooted species like sedges and rushes to stabilize the soil and protect the shoreline from wave action and ice heave.
Stop Erosion Now
We fully support healthy habitats and native plant species for erosion control. However, if water is encroaching on your property, you don’t have time to wait for government intervention. Besides, plants come and go. Is it wise to gamble the safety of your home on the strength of sedge roots?
Only a properly installed riprap shoreline can stop erosion now. 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 on your part of the lake. Technically they can build one, and they’ll say it’s easy, and it might even look nice – for a season or two. Before long, it will start to break down, and you’ll have to fix it again. Our shorelines are built to last.
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 Lake
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 Lotus 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 Lotus Lake 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.