Shoreline Stabilization & Jetty Construction

At Easter Lake there is a total of 35,300 linear feet of shoreline. Through the years, shoreline erosion in Easter Lake has contributed to the loss of surface acreage, depth, and habitat. Shoreline erosion is a natural process that can be increased by physical factors such as wind/wave action, ice heave, recreational use, and lack of aquatic vegetation. To address shoreline erosion, key areas were identified to be regraded and armored with a combination of riprap, Flexamat, and tall grass management and buffers.

Shoreline work and jetty construction began in 2018. The first new jetties were constructed in the east arm of Easter Lake. At this same time shoreline stabilization work also began. Shoreline stabilization will decrease future sediment loading into Easter Lake, improving recreational opportunities, and deepening of the lake along shorelines will provide better fish habitat and fishing opportunities. Along the shoreline, fish habitat including spawning beds, catfish hides, rock piles, and cedar trees have been strategically placed. To date over 20,000 linear feet of shoreline has been stabilized and 8 additional jetties have been constructed.

To learn more about lake renovations click here.

Wind/wave action, ice heave, recreational use, and lack of aquatic vegetation led to erosion of banks around the lake as shown below.

Eroding shoreline near the Easter Lake Beach

Wind/wave action and lack of vegetation causes erosion.

Eroding shoreline.

Prior to restoration, many bays had been silted in with some areas only inches deep.

After a partial lake drawdown in late 2015, its easy to see the bay near the covered bridge is only a few inches deep.

Completely silted in bay by the covered bridge, winter 2016

Shallow shore east of shelter 1

Near shelter 4, the bay was nearly completely silted in.

Looking out towards the bay as shelter 4 after lake draw down.

Before – South of Easter Lake Drive.

Historically Easter has had 3 jetties location along the northern shore. As part of lake renovations, an additional 8 Jetties have been constructed.

Post hydraulic dredging looking north from Easter Lake drive, no jetties present and shorelines are very shallow.

During construction – two jetties were built in this area and deeper areas were dug out near the shoreline.

Post construction – Jetties are completed and stabilized with riprap and Flexamat, and deep pools exist near the shore.

Above – Jetty construction on south shoreline of Easter Lake. Below, jetty construction between shelters 1 & 2.

Before- No jetty present and lake depth is shallow near the shoreline (located between shelters 1 & 2)

Fall 2018 – newly constructed jetty with use of Flexamat to stabilize shoreline.

Looking out at Easter Lake from the end of the jetty.

Shoreline from the constructed jetty has been deepened.

Right of the jetty.

Left of the jetty.

Examples of shoreline stabilization using riprap and Flexamat. Notice how shoreline areas have been deepened. Throughout the lake, fish habitat including rock piles, cedar trees, catfish hides, and spawning beds have been placed along the shoreline.

Flexamat stabilization

Riprap along the shore of the boat ramp.

Shoreline deepening and stabilization with Flexamat on the north side of the lake.

Shoreline deepening and stabilization with Flexamat near the covered bridge.

Riprip and fish habitat rock piles along Evergreen Ave.

Shoreline stabilization with Flexamat near shelter 5 south of Easter Lake Dr. Cedar trees and concrete structures have been placed for fish habitat.

South of Easter Lake Drive near shelter 5 in Easter Lake Park before and after.

Before – South of Easter Lake Drive.

After – South of Easter Lake Drive.

Near the covered bridge – Before, sediment filled in the bay up to the level of the base of the covered bridge.

Completely silted in bay by the covered bridge, winter 2016

Early 2016, the bay is only a few inches deep.

Fall 2018, after hydraulic dredging in 2016 and shoreline stabilization work in 2018, the bay has gain 8-10 feet of depth and shoreline has been deepened.