Ive just restored my lakeshore and planted a lot of small shrubs and willow stakes; how do I prevent the plants from being washed away by boat wakes?
To reduce erosion from boat wakes, reduce the speed of your boat when approaching the shoreline. You can post a sign which indicates the shoreline is being restored and asks people to reduce their speed and wake. In addition, you may want to use several buoys to keep passing boats at a distance. Be sure to leave driftwood, rocks and fallen trees in place along the shoreline to absorb the wave energy. You can consider adding these sorts of materials along the waterfront and using them to mulch amongst your shrubs with rocks, driftwood, or branches. Securing a log to the shoreline or anchoring it slightly offshore will also help to break the force of the waves. If you have an actively eroding shoreline, you will need to consider soft-shore protection measures that use control blankets, mulches, and landscape fabrics to help retain your soil while your plantings are taking root. There are many specialized materials being developed.
