Shore Savers
We have a new and innovative patent-pending solution for erosion control! Designed by experienced marine professionals with a long history of industry service – we have the experience to address the various lake erosion problems.
About Shore Savers™
A unique and expandable solution to fit most areas.
The Shore Savers™ erosion control system was created as a result of many client requests for an erosion control product that was cost effective, environmentally responsible, maintained lake side aesthetics and use, and was easily installed and removable. Starting with a goals white sheet and with the input of many marine professionals and engineers a model was created and several production prototypes built and tested with a final design recently entering production. We believe we have met and exceeded all listed goals as well as discovering many other positive attributes while establishing a worldwide erosion control standard, no more wondering if what you paid for is what was actually installed as it is all visible and interconnected. The Shore Savers™ system consist of 8’ square X 8” thick highly reinforced concrete blocks, basically high performance artificial rocks, cast in a factory with optimum attachment points installed allowing them to be linked together in a series effectively creating a protective land mattress of any size in any direction in 8’ increments. Standardly 48 blocks 4 (32’) wide X 12 (96’) long would be installed although any configuration of length and width is optional depending on the installation site. Being flat with no pointed ground side protrusions and only 78# per square foot of ground pressure (much less than a human footprint) allows the structure to cap the beach below with the front and side modules designed to pivot (or scour down) controlling scour while also presenting a corrugated ramped top surface to both absorb wave energy, deflect ice push and allow for future revegetation if water levels recede. Provisions are included to install 6” center pin pilings if, necessary, to control structure migration. Obviously rocks have no provisions to keep them in place which is why they usually separate and sink requiring expensive mufti year replenishment under holding or rising water levels.
Shore Savers™ installations are applicable to any land/water intersections where water action is causing erosion and can be sized and scaled many locations such as the Great Lakes, ocean fronts , canals, aqueduct’s river or creek bottom or sides, harbor walls, and flood channels. Shore Savers protection surface area coverage per pound vastly exceeds that of rock revetments eliminating thousands of highway truck loads transporting rocks as well as various vehicles traversing the beach front creating waves further contributing to shoreline erosion as well as temporarily eliminating most if not all shallow water fish nurseries. Shore Savers represents a significant investment in protecting your shoreline property now and for any future high water events as well as greatly enhancing its current use and future value. We believe the provisions built in for covering Shore Savers and reestablishing ground cover if water levels recede are one of Shore Savers most important benefits, which is the preserving the aesthetics of and access to the every changing resource natural resource that is Lake Michigan.
Shore Savers™ modules are sold and delivered on a first come first delivered basis from Shore Savers LTD or through a preapproved fully insured installation contractor.
Should you be interested in a Shores Savers™ solution installation quote please fill out the information requested form on the contact page and we will promptly have an installation contractor you to arrange for a onsite visit.
Please see 'The Solution' below, for more details.
Traditional Technologies
Great Lakes Rising
Great Lakes water levels have risen over 6’ since 2013 covering most existing beaches left after the last high-water event in 1986. The Great Lakes are projected to rise another 19 inches in 2020 putting most shoreline property and many structures at risk.
Traditional remedies to control bluff toe erosion include rock revetments, sea walls, and sandbags. Unfortunately, no erosion control structures are guaranteed due to the unpredictability of mother nature although most failures are due to inadequate design and improper installation. Most erosion control structures typically cost less to install with adequate landside access.
Rock revetments
are an excellent solution when properly designed and installed at a cost usually exceeding $2,500 per running foot if correctly installed, obviously substandard installations with smaller amounts of smaller rocks will be much less expensive and often disappear in one good storm, less is defiantly not the more you will need. Typically, the beach is excavated as low as possible below water level, a geo textile is installed to keep the rock separated from the sand with a 24” layer of small stone to protect the geo textile from puncture. Progressively larger rocks are added with a front and top layer of large armor rocks to break up and dissipate wave energy. Proper installation and enough stone are critical. Some negatives that drastically reduce rock revetment service periods include:
- Improper design without enough rock and improper installation elevations
- No geotextile or mattress bed allowing rocks to rapidly sink with wave action.
- Unknow or short quantities of rock installed (demand all weigh slips from drivers)
- Rocks move, sink, and disappear requiring multi year replenishment.
- If shoring up under foundations ground water soil migration causes erosion and settling
Also rock revetments;
- Make lake access for humans and animals difficult and dangerous.
- Are very difficult and expensive to remove if lake levels go down.
- Are not conducive to stairs, decks, or boats.
- Require major logistics and cost to transport and install on site
- Cause significant erosion and habitat damage with lakeside traverse
Seawalls
when property designed and installed are a great solution as proved by the local piers. Cost are typically higher then rock revetments and vary with construction access. Typical failures are caused by;
- Sheet piling not heavy enough allowing sheets to buckle and separate, especially from ice
- Inadequate sheet length allowing scour (the underwater transport of sand/bottom caused by water currents resulting from wave energy dissipation) to undermine bottom sheet holdback support. (rough rule, 1/3 above water bottom, 2/3 below)
- Inadequate tiebacks/anchors allow wall to fold lakeward bulge/fail
- Dissipating downward wave energy creates a drop off in front of wall.
- The change in water flow often enhances erosion on adjacent properties and sidewall extensions often need to be added creating a peninsula effect
- No geo textile behind wall allowing backfill to erode through
Sand bags
are a great temporary solution for holding back flood water and many have been installed on Lake Michigan, big ones, small ones, filled with sand and some filled with cement. Lack of consistent installation materiel’s and methods make judging they’re relative effectiveness very difficult.
The Advantages...
- Installed only by reputable contractors with insurance proofs on file
- Cost effective compared to other options
- Fast installation (typically less than a week depending on weather)
- Recyclable and nonpolluting
- Robust construction exceeding ACI standards for reinforced concrete
- 120-ton mass to counteract wave forces
- Pile retention eliminates slope migration if needed
- Galvanized and coated connection hardware
- Corrugated surface causes turbulence to dissipate wave energy
- Corrugated surface retains suspended soils and allows for future re-vegetation
- Self-adjust for front and side scour
- Removable, can be stored and reused or sold
- Expandable to adjoining properties
- Can be installed in all weather with reasonable surf
- Can be installed from land side with suitable nearby crane access
- Eliminates wind scour from covered surfaces
- Uses local materials and local materiel suppliers
- Maintains bluff face regardless of water level
- Allows limited boat access
- Gradual slope profile has less adverse effect on adjoining properties
- Limits sedimentation of near shore and off shore aquatic breeding nursery’s
- Enhances shallow water breeding nursery depending on lake levels
- Allows reasonable shoreline access to humans and wildlife
- Allows stairway securing and installation
- Allows deck or boat house installation
- Allows installation of overtopping barriers if needed
- Can be installed without removing existing tree lines or vegetated slopes
- Allows the establishment of optimum 2 to 1 slope for re-vegetation
- No protrusions and pile caps allow traverse of rubber tired or tracked equipment
- Reduces lake erosion filling which contributes to high water level