Shoreline Erosion Repair Case Study

A 55-plus living community in New Jersey was searching for a solution to repair the shoreline erosion on their two ponds located at the neighborhood’s entrance. These ponds were once a place where residents could take an evening stroll, however, the damaging effects of erosion turned the ponds into eyesores and potential liabilities. 

Constructed in 2006, these community ponds had experienced severe erosion due to stormwater runoff, weather events, and human and wildlife activity. As a result, the shoreline began to recede, threatening the integrity of the surrounding fence and diminishing the aesthetics of the neighborhood’s entrance. The unstable and uneven banks made it unsafe for residents to use the pond as they once did. This also created a liability risk for the Homeowners Association (HOA), putting residents and landscapers in danger due to the unstable shoreline. To restore the safety of the ponds, improve resident satisfaction, and boost community appeal, the HOA began researching erosion repair solutions.

The project commenced in the fall of 2023. Prior to the installation of the bioengineered system, the shrubs along the bank were cleared to provide a clean shoreline for installation. Then, the durable mesh material was laid out along the pond’s perimeter and anchored to the stable part of the shoreline. Once the system was secured to the shoreline, it was filled with organic material. In some cases, organic material can be sourced from the bottom of a pond and removed via a hydro-rake or dredge. However, this community utilized 800 cubic yards of sandy material to fill the system. 

40 pallets of sod were placed over the secured system to promote a natural-looking shoreline. The roots from the sod will penetrate through the system and down into the soil, further stabilizing the shoreline. Establishing vegetation along a pond’s shoreline can also help filter excess nutrients like phosphorus from rainwater as it washes into the waterbody. Phosphorus is known to cause water quality imbalances that promote nuisance weed and algae growth.

In just eight weeks, four weeks to complete each pond, the community regained a total of 1,800 linear feet of shoreline. The bioengineered living shoreline not only enhanced the beauty and property value of the neighborhood but also created a safer environment, allowing residents to peacefully stroll along the shoreline.