I've been working with Eric Buehl, habitat coordinator for the CIB, in Lake Bethany on a shoreline restoration project. Eric told me the 500 foot stretch of shoreline in the quiet Bethany community was selected because it is a natural rookery for about ten herons! The fetch (or distance over which wind blows on water) is great enough to create waves that damage this natural habitat.
Shoreline in danger at Lake Bethany. Notice the trees leaning toward the water. About a foot and a half off the shore the Coir Logs can be seen.
To prevent erosion, Eric ordered a truckload of coconut fiber logs called Coir Logs to place between the shoreline and incoming waves. Not only do the logs act as a barrier, but they also catch eroding sediment behind them, creating a stronger shoreline. Soon we will be planting native marsh grasses within the logs to stabilize the area even further. The logs naturally decay between 3-5 years and by then we hope to have a strong, solid shoreline at Lake Bethany. Thank you to all the volunteers that helped with the preparation and installation! Here are some photos of the work being done:
Bob and Eric doing some prep work.
Installing the 12' x 12" diameter logs.
They already like what we've done to the place!
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