Benefits for All

Detention and retention ponds are a regular part of our modern landscape in housing communities, neighborhood parks, and commercial landscapes. These ponds typically are surrounded with various types of decorative rock or manicured turf right down to the water’s edge. While this may initially appear attractive, the short root systems of turf grass are not sufficient to secure the soil in place. Grass clippings and leaves that make their way into the water increase nitrogen levels. In addition, repeated cutting causes the roots of turf grass to grow very dense, thereby inhibiting water from penetrating deeper than a few inches past the surface. Once the shallow root zone is saturated, the lawn acts much like a paved surface, where the excess water runs over the surface instead of being taken deeper into the soil. Over time, shorelines planted with turf will erode, costing upwards of thousands of dollars to repair and maintain.

A cost-effective alternative to turf grass is to naturalize your shoreline!  A naturalized shoreline is created with native plants that are not only beautiful but functional. Native grasses have extensive root systems which are capable of securing soils in the presence of moving water. Where turf grass roots only occupy the top two inches of the soil, native grasses can extend their roots down over two feet into black dirt and clay.  Native plants act like a sponge and filter pollutants and sediment. When native vegetation is established around the shoreline and slopes of the pond, the velocity of water slows as it approaches the pond, infiltrating some of the water and removing nutrients on the way.

Overall, shoreline naturalization is an excellent option that will help stabilize soils, add texture and beauty to the shoreline, improve water quality and create a diverse habitat for insects, birds, and animals. Contact W2W today to see how to get started on your shoreline project.