Ask Lyn: How to Fix a Concrete Seawall

Dear Lyn,

My concrete seawall is in bad shape! Can you recommend anyone who can repair or replace it? I’m having trouble finding local service.

Signed,

Seawall Steve

____________________

Dear Steve,

How frustrating! While I can’t recommend anyone to work on a concrete seawall, I do know some terrific contractors who specialize in glacial stone seawalls. They can repair existing stone seawalls, or they can reface or replace concrete seawalls with glacial stone. Check out this handy list of local professionals.

Why use glacial stone instead of concrete? Simply put, concrete seawalls aren’t natural or healthy for our lakes. They decrease plant life and animal habitat along the shoreline and create problems for critters like turtles, who need to move easily between land and water. Concrete seawalls also create extra wave action, which causes erosion (called “scouring”) and stirs up sediments on the lake bottom. That sediment releases nutrients, which promotes algae growth and other water quality issues.

Glacial stones are a key feature of a healthy, natural shoreline. They help slow wave action, reduce erosion and nutrient release, and provide critical habitat for aquatic creatures. Pair them with lake-friendly landscaping to really make an impact! Be sure to use native plants, which filter pollution out of runoff, stabilize the shoreline, deter nuisance wildlife like muskrats and geese, and so much more.

Take a peek at these photos. You’ll see that natural shorelines can be incredibly beautiful and low-maintenance, and they don’t interfere with recreation.

I know a seawall project can be difficult and expensive, Steve, but there is a silver lining. You have a unique opportunity to create a shoreline that’s better for your property and for your lake–and TWF can help! Through our Healthy Shorelines Initiative, we offer grants of up to $1000 to support shoreline projects like yours. You’ll find a list of resources, including those contractors I mentioned, and a full packet of grant information on our Healthy Shorelines page. 

The deadline to apply for a grant is August 1, so don’t wait!

See you on the lake,

Lyn