A river bank before and after the installation of an encapsulated soil lift.

Whether paddling, casting a fishing line, or just enjoying a beautiful sunset, lakes and ponds are an integral part of the Vermont landscape. Over time, these beloved areas can become disturbed through the erosive pressures of foot traffic, wave and ice action, and the removal of native vegetation. Disturbed shorelines are directly tied to decreased water quality and require action to conserve our water resources. 

An encapsulated soil lift is a best management practice that repairs eroded slopes. To start, a turbidity curtain is installed to prevent any project-related sediment from entering the lake. Next, a stone toe is formed from nearby boulders to create a sturdy foundation for the lifts that can resist ice and wave action in the future. Each soil lift is essentially a ‘biodegradable taco’ filled with soil and native seeds that is staked into the hillside in a series of ‘benches.’ Where two benches meet, willows are planted to establish woody vegetation for long-term stability.

As time passes, the plant seeds root and grow to stabilize the bank as the biodegradable ‘tortilla’ breaks down. The plantings in the soil lifts will improve water quality by reducing erosion and runoff of pollutants as well as enhancing fish and wildlife habitat. By thoughtful planning and implementation, we can promote lake-friendly practices that balance both ecological needs and recreational desires.

From top left counterclockwise: Shoreline on Lake Caspian showing signs of erosion from foot traffic, wave action, and lack of vegetation. Excavator operator Reilly grabs native rock to build the stone toe of the soil lifts. Crew members spread soil between layers of biodegradable fabric to create a soil lift. The 4 soil lifts are installed with willow whips between each layer to provide woody structure over time.

 

Recently, the Watershed Crew worked in collaboration with the Orleans County Natural Resources Conservation District to stabilize the shoreline along Lake Caspian to install an encapsulated soil lift. A big thank you to our team of NorthWoods staff and our partners at the Orleans County Natural Resources Conservation District and WindenWater, LLC for making this project possible!

 

Watershed crew members work together to move the turbidity curtain.