SHORELINE DEFENSE
Coastal erosion is the wearing away of land and the removal of beach or dune sediments by wave action, tidal currents, drainage or high winds. Waves, generated by storms, wind, or fast moving motor craft, cause coastal erosion and dramatic losses of coastal sediment and rocks.
Why Is Shoreline Stabilization Important?
There are many reasons why it’s important to have a stable shoreline:
Economic Reasons
Not only is visiting local beach areas a popular pastime, but many people build homes along the shore. The shores and beaches are also economically important, providing income from fishing, boating, tourism and more.
Protecting Natural Resources
Shore protection is also important for preserving the natural resources along the shores of lakefront and oceanfront property. Shorelines are their own ecosystem, and protecting them is critical for preserving the health and diversity of the area’s fish and wildlife.
Better Water Quality
The shoreline area also naturally cleans stormwater runoff before the water enters the lake or ocean. With lakefront shore protection, the water quality improves. In turn, this keeps wildlife, fish and ultimately people healthier.
Preventing Shoreline Erosion
Finally, a healthy shoreline offers protection against beach erosion. Unfortunately, erosion problems can happen anywhere. Shoreline erosion is a natural process, but it can be harmful to structures, wildlife and people. Erosion along beach areas also interferes with beach nourishment.
Although erosion is usually gradual, a strong storm, unusual precipitation or excessive runoff can make the process rapid. Loss of trees also affects the rate of erosion. When erosion happens too quickly, action is needed.
How Shoreline Protection Systems Protect Coastal Areas
Coastal planning helps mitigate the unwanted effects of rapid erosion. Lakefront protection may include a rock wall, planting native plants and repairing the slope of the beach areas. The use of soft armoring methods also facilitates shoreline stabilization. These techniques include placing vegetative mats, wads of roots and felled logs in the areas of excessive erosion.
One of the fastest ways to reduce shoreline erosion is through the use of gabion walls / shoreline defense walls.
Gabion walls installed along the coastline offer efficient resistance to erosion, loss of coastal soil and a safeguard to properties in danger of slipping into the sea.
We offer a variety of gabion materials for these coastal applications in Galvanized & PVC Coated Steel, Type 316L Marine Grade Stainless Steel and Co-Polymer Geo-Grid
EXAMPLES OF COASTAL SHORELINE DEFENSE WALLS
River Mattresses
The DURA-FLEX river mattress is a low profile gabion made of galvanized double-twisted wire mesh and when filled with rocks at the project site, forms a flexible, permeable, monolithic structure for river bank protection and channel linings for erosion control.
Gabion mattresses aka “RENO MATTRESSES” are constructed of 13 gauge (0.087″) galvanized double- twisted mild steel wire mesh with a hex shaped mesh opening of 2-1/2″ x 3-1/4″ (6×8 cm) with heavier selvedge wire framing and conforms to ASTM A975-97 specifications .
Mattresses can be supplied in various length, widths and height. The most common sizes are : 12’x 6′, 9’x6′ and 6’x6′ with depths of 6″, 9″ or 12″. We also supply Jumbo Mattresses in lenghts up to 100′ long and shipped as rolls
