Protecting Your Big Bear Lake Shoreline From Erosion

Typical Windward Side Erosion

IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEM
As a Lakefront property owner, you may have noticed that every year your house seems closer to the Lake. If this is the case, you probably have a shoreline erosion problem. This web page has been developed to let you know there are ways you can combat this natural occurrence and save your property from further loss. It describes the adverse impacts of erosion, the recommended procedures for shoreline repair, the permit process and the costs involved.

Another Erosion Example

EROSION AND ITS IMPACTS
Winter storm waves, boat wakes, fluctuating lake levels and wind all contribute to the erosion of lakefront property. Not only does erosion reduce the size of your land, but the deposits of eroded material into the Lake create shallow water conditions in front of your home. This promotes the growth of aquatic weeds which can eventually interfere with your recreational access to the Lake.

The most serious impact to you as a lakefront homeowner is the loss of your property. Restoration is virtually impossible, so it is best to stop the problem before it worsens. There are various methods of slope stabilization and protection available, which may include the planting of vegetation, placement of filter cloth and rock riprap or construction of a seawall. Adding vegetation, such as willows, may provide some relief, but the remaining two options are more effective and long lasting. Creating a sandy beach below the high water line does not provide any shoreline protection and is not allowed. Sandy beaches above the high water line are only authorized when specific protection measures are approved by the Big Bear Municipal Water District (MWD)

STEPS YOU CAN TAKE
If you are considering a project, contact the MWD to discuss approved methods of shoreline protection which are appropriate for the situation. The design can then be coordinated with the contractor performing the work. Once a project has been decided upon, you can obtain the necessary permits from the Department of Fish and Game and the MWD. Both of these permits are available at the MWD office. For a small project you should allow 30 days for both agencies to process your request. For large projects the process will take 4-6 weeks longer. Prior to beginning any project, it will be necessary to locate your lakefront property markers. If they are missing, a legal survey may be required.

Permits are required to ensure that any work completed below the high water line of the Lake is not detrimental to the environment and also that it is designed to last for a reasonable amount of time. Many homeowners have placed rock riprap along their shoreline only to find it washed into the Lake within the first year. MWD staff can assist you in selecting a method which provides the long-term protection you need.

ROCK RIPRAP METHOD
Use of rock riprap is the most common type of erosion control project. It involves the placement of filter cloth on the shoreline, over which rock of at least 12" in diameter is placed. This combination of fabric and large rock provides excellent protection against the eroding wave action. Sometimes the shoreline must be recontoured prior to placement of any protection to insure that the slope is satisfactory to retain the material.

Successful Riprap Project

SEAWALL METHOD
The most lasting form of erosion protection is a seawall. Various materials can be used, but it is critical that any wall be constructed properly to prevent erosion under or around the structure. The MWD staff can provide you with information on different types of walls.

Properly Constructed Seawall

As with riprap projects, the use of the appropriate toe protection along the shoreline is essential in the construction of any seawall. Shown below is an example of how a seawall foundation can be seriously undermined and its stability threatened if proper procedures are not followed.

Improper Toe Protection May Lead To Serious Damage

In many areas of the Lake, homeowners have implemented cooperative seawall projects, building a continuous wall along several properties. These projects generally result in a considerable cost savings for each homeowner.

WHEN SHOULD THIS WORK OCCUR?
The timing on repairing your shoreline is one of the most critical elements of a good shoreline protection project. It should be completed in early fall when evaporation has lowered the Lake level by three or four feet. There will then be more exposed shoreline on which to place some form of protection, making the project more likely to succeed. No work is permitted along the shoreline between December 1 and March 31, so it's best to begin planning early.

WHAT ABOUT THE COSTS?
The Big Bear Municipal Water District has made every effort to streamline the permit process and keep the fees to a minimum. There may be additional permitting costs from other regulatory agencies, such as the Department of Fish and Game.

Actual project costs will vary depending upon the method of shoreline protection decided upon. Construction of a seawall is, of course, the most costly alternative.

Unauthorized projects below the high water line of Big Bear Lake are subject to removal by the MWD- so it's best to follow the process and complete an approved project.

The Big Bear Municipal Water District is anxious to work with concerned property owners to aid them in developing the appropriate method for protecting their shoreline. The benefits of these projects it twofold: lakefront property is protected from future loss into the Lake and the amount of sediment into the Lake is reduced. Often this eroded material contains nutrients from fertilizers, pet droppings and other vegetation which has a detrimental impact on the Lake's water quality and promotes weed growth.

For more information about protecting your property along
Big Bear Lake contact:
the "Lake Manager"
Big Bear Municipal Water District
E-mail: Lake Manager
(909) 866-5796

For information on this web site contact Webmaster
Big Bear Municipal Water District, All Rights Reserved.
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