Haliburton Shoreline Naturalization: Better for the Lake, Better for You

An in-depth look at shoreline naturalization and restoration for Haliburton County cottages: why it’s important and how to do it.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Haliburton County’s lakes are more than just places for recreation: they’re complex ecosystems that require careful stewardship. The best way to take care of our lakes is to make sure our shorelines are in good shape. The good news is, when we take care of our lakes, we don’t just benefit local wildlife, we benefit ourselves too.

So what is shoreline naturalization? It involves maintaining or restoring native vegetation along the water’s edge, creating a buffer zone between developed areas and the lake. This buffer, often referred to as the “Ribbon of Life”, is more than just a strip of plants; it’s an ecosystem that plays a critical role in lake health. Studies have shown that 80-90% of life in a lake depends on this shoreline habitat for its overall well-being. (Reference)

Our shorelines are vital. Environment Canada recommends at least 75% of a lake’s shoreline should be in a natural state to maintain a healthy lake ecosystem (Reference). However, recent surveys conducted through the Love Your Lake program reveal only 22% of surveyed properties met the minimum standards for lake health, which includes maintaining a naturally vegetated buffer.

Picture of a natural shoreline in Haliburton County
An example of a natural shoreline in Haliburton County. Keeping this type of shoreline – or naturalizing a damaged shoreline – has numerous benefits to lake health and property values.

There’s a disconnect however between what we say and what we do. While over 85% of shoreline property owners surveyed through the Love Your Lake program ranked water quality as their most valued lake-related characteristic, few are taking the necessary steps to safeguard this precious resource.

Natural shorelines offer a ton of benefits. They protect water quality by filtering out pollutants and excess nutrients, control erosion by stabilizing the shoreline, provide essential habitat for a wide variety of wildlife, and even help mitigate the impacts of climate change. On top of this, they contribute to the beauty and economic value of waterfront properties – a win-win for both nature and cottage owners.

In this article, we will explore why shoreline naturalization is crucial for Haliburton County lakes and help you do your bit to keep our lakes healthy.

Why Haliburton Shoreline Naturalization Is Important

The ecological zones of the “Ribbon of Life”, taken from The Shore Primer ©His Majesty the King in Right of Canada 2008

Understanding the concept of the “Ribbon of Life” is crucial to appreciating the importance of natural shorelines. This term refers to the transition zone between land and water, encompassing multiple ecological zones: upland (the elevated area away from the shoreline), riparian (the transitional area that extends inward from the shoreline), shoreline (where land and water meet), and littoral (the area of the lake from the high water mark down to a depth where the light doesn’t reach) . Each of these zones plays a role in the overall health of the lake ecosystem.

Natural shorelines perform several critical ecological functions:

1. Water Filtration: Vegetated shorelines act as a natural filter, intercepting and purifying runoff before it enters the lake. This process is crucial for maintaining water quality, as it helps remove sediments, excess nutrients, and pollutants. Studies have shown that a 30-metre vegetated buffer can get rid of up to 85% of phosphorus, nitrogen, and other pollutants from runoff. (Reference)

2. Erosion Control: The root systems of shoreline plants help stabilize the soil, reducing erosion caused by wave action, ice movement, and runoff. This natural erosion control is often more effective and resilient than man-made structures like retaining walls or rip-rap (piles of stones or rocks placed at the shoreline).

3. Temperature Regulation: Shoreline vegetation provides shade, helping to moderate water temperatures. This is particularly important for fish species that require cool water, such as lake trout, which are sensitive to temperature changes.

4. Habitat Provision: Natural shorelines are biodiversity hotspots. Up to 70% of wildlife species rely on riparian areas at some point in their lifecycle (Reference).

But it’s not just about ecology. Shorelines also have significant economic implications. Water quality, which is directly influenced by the health of shorelines, is the most valued lake-related characteristic for over 85% of shoreland property owners, according to a Watersheds Canada study. Moreover, studies have shown that for every additional foot of water clarity, property values in Central Ontario’s Cottage Country can increase by approximately 2% (Reference).

Current State of Shorelines in Haliburton County

To understand the urgency of shoreline naturalization in Haliburton County, we need to look at the current state of our lakeshores. Recent studies and surveys have painted a concerning picture of shoreline health.

The Love Your Lake program, which conducted extensive surveys of lakefront properties, many of which were in Haliburton County, revealed some troubling statistics. Only 22% of surveyed properties met the minimum standards for addressing lake health, which includes maintaining a naturally vegetated buffer. This means that the vast majority of shoreline properties in our area are not adequately contributing to the ecological health of our lakes.

This finding is particularly alarming when we consider that at least 75% of a lake’s total shoreline should remain in a natural state to keep our lakes healthy.

Harmful changes to lake shorelines

The removal of native vegetation from shorelands is a growing trend. This trend is a major factor in the decline of water quality and wildlife communities in our lakes. Common alterations include:

  • Replacing natural vegetation with manicured lawns
  • Installing hardened structures like retaining walls or extensive areas of rip-rap
  • Clearing trees and shrubs to improve views or create more open space

These alterations, while often done with the intention of improving property aesthetics or usability, can have severe negative impacts on lake health:

  • Increased runoff and nutrient input into the lake
  • Loss of natural filtering capacity, leading to decreased water quality
  • Destruction of critical habitat for both aquatic and terrestrial species
  • Increased erosion and sedimentation

Climate change is making things worse. Warmer temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events are putting additional stress on our lakes. For instance, we’re seeing an increasing frequency of algal blooms in Canada, which are promoted by higher temperatures and increased nutrient inputs from altered shorelines (Reference).

Shoreline bylaws

In response to these concerns, Haliburton County has taken steps to protect shorelines, including the implementation of a shoreline preservation bylaw. While this initiative faced some initial resistance, it represents an important step towards prioritizing the health of our lakes. (Dysart et al decided not to take part in the County-wide bylaw and introduced its own site alteration bylaw.)

Haliburton shoreline restoration helps improve water quality, controls erosion and provides habitat for wildlife. Plus.. it’s beautiful!

Benefits of Shoreline Restoration for Haliburton County

Naturalizing your shoreline offers a wide array of benefits, not only for the lake ecosystem but also for property owners and the broader community. Let’s take a look at these advantages in detail:

1. Water Quality Improvement

One of the most significant benefits of natural shorelines is their ability to protect and improve water quality. Vegetated buffers act as powerful filters, intercepting runoff and the pollutants it carries before they reach the lake.

Natural shorelines are particularly effective at removing excess nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen, which are major contributors to algal blooms and eutrophication – when nutrients accumulate, leading to increased growth of microorganisms and lower oxygen levels. Studies have shown that a 30-metre vegetated buffer can remove up to 85% of pesticides, sediment, nitrogen, and phosphorus from runoff (Reference). This filtering capacity is crucial in preventing eutrophication, which can lead to decreased water clarity, loss of aquatic vegetation, and potential toxic algal blooms.

2. Erosion Control

Natural shorelines play a vital role in preventing erosion. The root systems of native plants help to stabilize the soil, making it more resistant to erosion caused by wave action, ice movement, and surface runoff.

Unlike hard structures such as retaining walls, which can redirect wave energy and cause erosion elsewhere, natural vegetation absorbs and dissipates this energy. This makes naturalized shorelines a more effective and sustainable long-term solution for erosion control.

3. Wildlife Habitat

Natural shorelines provide critical habitat for a diverse range of species. A naturalized shoreline offers food, shelter, and breeding grounds for various species, from microscopic organisms to fish, amphibians, birds, and mammals. The diversity of native plants in a natural shoreline supports a more complex and resilient ecosystem.

4. Climate Change Resilience

As climate change begins to make itself noticed in the County, natural shorelines offer a buffer against these effects. They help moderate water temperatures, which is crucial for many aquatic species, especially in the face of warming trends.

Vegetated shorelines also play a role in carbon sequestration, with native plants capturing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere (Reference). Additionally, the robust root systems and varied structure of natural shorelines make them more resilient to extreme weather events, such as heavy storms, which are becoming more frequent due to climate change (Reference).

5. Economic Benefits

While the ecological benefits are clear, there are economic advantages too. Studies have shown that for every additional foot of water clarity, property values in Central Ontario’s Cottage Country can increase by approximately 2% (Reference).

Natural shorelines are also more cost-effective in the long run compared to hard engineering approaches for erosion control. They require less maintenance and have a longer lifespan than artificial structures.

6. Aesthetic and Recreational Value

Contrary to some misconceptions, naturalized shorelines can be aesthetically pleasing and can enhance the beauty of a property. They provide a changing landscape throughout the seasons, with various plants flowering at different times.

Plus, a healthy lake ecosystem supported by natural shorelines provides better opportunities for recreation, including fishing, wildlife viewing, and swimming in clearer waters.

7. Flood Mitigation

Natural shorelines, with their varied topography and vegetation, are better equipped to handle fluctuations in water levels. They can absorb and slow down flood waters more effectively than hardened shorelines, providing a buffer for waterfront properties during heavy rain storms or when the lake level is particularly high.

How to Naturalize Your Shoreline in Haliburton County

Naturalizing your shoreline can seem like a daunting task, but we here at Grounded think it can be fun too. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

1. Planning and Assessment

Before you begin, it’s crucial to assess your property’s current conditions:

  • Evaluate factors like soil type, sun exposure, slope, and existing vegetation.
  • Create a property sketch, noting areas for naturalization and existing structures.
  • Consider the location of your septic system, as this will affect your planting plan.
  • Consider how you will be using the site, including your needs for recreation and access to the lake.

Remember, you don’t need to naturalize your whole shoreline at once. Start with a small area and expand over time.

2. Choosing Native Plants

Selecting the right plants is key to successful naturalization:

  • Use a variety of native species with different heights and bloom times to create a diverse ecosystem.
  • Consider plants that are suitable for your specific conditions (soil, sun, moisture).
  • Choose plants with varying root depths and structures (fibrous, taproot, etc).
  • Plant in layers to mimic natural ecosystems: groundcover, vignette, shrubs.
  • Use resources like the Natural Edge Native Plant Database or this website to help with selection. Also see what plants are growing in similar, natural locations.
  • Consider talking to specialists in natural gardens and shorelines, such as us here at Grounded.

3. Planting Techniques

Different types of plants may require different planting methods:

  • Plant in layers, with a groundcover layer of about 50% of your plants.
  • Bareroot shrubs are best planted in early spring or late fall when plants are dormant.
  • Plug stock (that’s small plants that come in trays) and potted plants can be planted later in the spring or early fall.
  • Plant densely so that the plants knit together as they do in nature.
  • Carefully match the plant to the conditions, bearing in mind that different parts of the site can have different conditions, especially moisture levels.

4. Creating Effective Buffer Zones

While a 30-meter buffer is ideal, any buffer is better than none:

  • Aim for the widest buffer your property allows.
  • If space is limited, focus on creating a diverse, multi-layered vegetation structure.
  • Consider a “no-mow zone” near the water’s edge as a simple first step.

5. Management

Proper management is crucial, especially in the first few years:

  • Water newly planted vegetation if required, depending on the plants’ needs and the weather.
  • Monitor for and remove invasive species.

6. Balancing Recreation and Nature

It’s possible to naturalize your shoreline while maintaining access to the water:

  • Create a curved path to the water instead of a straight one to minimize erosion.
  • Consider a narrow, low-impact dock for water access.
  • Designate specific areas for recreation, leaving the rest naturalized.

7. Erosion Control

If erosion is a significant concern, consider these natural approaches:

  • Use native plants with complex root systems to stabilize the soil
  • In severe cases, consult with a professional about bioengineering techniques

Remember, shoreline restoration is a gradual process. It may take a few years for your shoreline to fully establish, but the long-term benefits for your property and the lake are substantial.

How Grounded Can Help Naturalize Your Shoreline

Grounded specializes in creating native plant landscapes in Haliburton County.

Not only do we use native plants, but we plant them in a naturalistic way, mimicking natural ecosystems the best we can.

We can help restore your shoreline by installing a diverse range of native plants that are suited to Haliburton County and to your particular location.

In short, we can turn your shoreline into a ecosystem that helps the health of your lake and provided you years of pleasure.

We work with you to meet your needs, choosing appropriate plants and installing them at your cottage. We then provide you a handbook so you know what is planted and how to manage it in the future.

Haliburton Shoreline Restoration: Our process

  1. Visit our Services page and fill out the form. Or email us at hello@groundedgardens.ca.
  2. We will come visit your shoreline. There is no obligation or cost for this visit.
  3. If we both agree there’s potential for us to work together, we’ll come up with some ideas and some sample plants, along with a cost estimate.
  4. If you like our ideas, we’ll come back with a complete list of plants for your approval.
  5. If you would like to go ahead, we request a 50% deposit on the plant cost so we secure your plant order.
  6. We install the plants at the agreed timeframe.
  7. We provide attractive metal labels to help you identify plants.
  8. We provide you with a complete handbook, telling you about the plants in your shoreline and how to manage your new garden in the crucial first few years. At this point, we request the balance of payment.
  9. We pay at least two sites visits after installation to ensure your shoreline garden is establishing.

Click here to fill out the enquiry form.

Native Plants for Restoring Haliburton Shorelines

Suitable native plants for Haliburton County shoreline naturalization include:

Common Name Type Layer
Water Avens Herbaceous Perennial Groundcover
Canadian Columbine Herbaceous Perennial Vignette
Poke Milkweed Herbaceous Perennial Vignette
Hop Sedge Sedge Groundcover
Bottlebrush Grass Grass Groundcover
Woodland Sunflower Herbaceous Perennial Vignette
Flowering Raspberry Shrub Structure
Heart-leaved aster Herbaceous Perennial Vignette
White Turtlehead Herbaceous Perennial Vignette
Graceful sedge Sedge Groundcover
Long-stalked sedge Sedge Groundcover
Plantainleaf Sedge Sedge Groundcover
Wood/Rosey sedge Sedge Groundcover
Alternate leaved Dogwood Shrub Structure
Bunchberry Shrub Groundcover
Large-leaved aster Herbaceous Perennial Vignette
Eastern Teaberry, Wintergreen Herbaceous Perennial Groundcover
Zig-Zag Goldenrod Herbaceous Perennial Vignette
Early Meadowrue Herbaceous Perennial Vignette
Hobblebush Shrub Structure
Heath aster Herbaceous Perennial Vignette
American Sweet Flag Herbaceous Perennial Vignette
Smooth Serviceberry Shrub Structure
Bearberry Shrub Groundcover
Black Chokeberry Shrub Structure
Bebb’s sedge Sedge Groundcover
Silky Dogwood Shrub Structure
Grey Dogwood Shrub Structure
Red Osier Dogwood Shrub Structure
Common Boneset Herbaceous Perennial Vignette
Spotted Joe-Pye Weed Herbaceous Perennial Vignette
Wild Strawberry Herbaceous Perennial Groundcover
Winterberry Shrub Structure
Harlequin Blueflag Herbaceous Perennial Vignette
Cardinal Flower Herbaceous Perennial Vignette
Square-stemmed Monkeyflower Herbaceous Perennial Vignette
Swamp Rose Shrub Structure
Green headed coneflower Herbaceous Perennial Vignette
Pussy Willow Tree Structure
American Elderberry Shrub Structure
American Elderberry Shrub Structure
Meadowsweet Shrub Structure
Nannyberry Shrub Structure
Highbush Cranberry Shrub Structure
Swamp Milkweed Herbaceous Perennial Vignette
Fox sedge Sedge Groundcover
Oxeye False Sunflower Herbaceous Perennial Vignette
Black-eyed Susan Herbaceous Perennial Vignette
Upland White Goldenrod Herbaceous Perennial Vignette
Wrinkle-leaf Goldenrod Herbaceous Perennial Vignette
New England Aster Herbaceous Perennial Vignette
Azure Aster Herbaceous Perennial Vignette
Blue Vervain Herbaceous Perennial Vignette
Wild Bergamot Herbaceous Perennial Vignette
Bush Honeysuckle Shrub Structure

Overcoming common misconceptions about shoreline naturalization in Haliburton County

Despite the benefits of shoreline naturalization, some cottage owners are reluctant. Let’s look at some of these common concerns:

1. Misconception: Natural shorelines are messy or unattractive

Reality: Natural shorelines can be designed to be aesthetically pleasing and can enhance the beauty of your property. With proper planning, you can create a visually appealing landscape that changes with the seasons.

2. Misconception: Naturalization will block views of the water

Reality: You can maintain your view of the lake while still having a naturalized shoreline. Consider these strategies:

  • Choose lower-growing shrubs and plants for areas where you want to preserve views
  • Selectively prune trees and shrubs to create “windows” to the water
  • Use a variety of plant heights to create a diverse but open landscape

3. Misconception: A natural shoreline will limit access to the water

Reality: Shoreline naturalization can be balanced with recreational use. You can:

  • Create a curved, narrow path to the water through the naturalized area
  • Maintain an area of access while naturalizing the rest of the shoreline

4. Misconception: Lawns are better for erosion control

Reality: Natural vegetation is far more effective at controlling erosion than lawns. The complex root systems of native plants hold soil in place much better than the shallow roots of turf grass.

5. Misconception: Naturalization is too expensive or time-consuming

Reality: While there may be some upfront costs and effort, natural shorelines are more cost-effective in the long run:

  • Once established, native plants require less maintenance than lawns and, over the long term, hard landscaping
  • Natural shorelines don’t need frequent mowing, fertilizing, or watering
  • They can prevent costly erosion damage to your property

6. Misconception: Hard structures like retaining walls are better for erosion control

Reality: While hard structures might seem like a quick fix, they often cause more problems than they solve:

  • They can redirect wave energy, causing erosion elsewhere
  • They provide no habitat value and can harm wildlife
  • They often have a limited lifespan and can be expensive to repair or replace

Natural solutions, on the other hand, can be more effective, longer-lasting, and provide multiple ecological benefits.

7. Misconception: There’s not enough variety in native plants

Reality: There is a wide variety of native plants suitable for shoreline naturalization. From trees and shrubs to herbaceous perennials and grasses, native plants offer diverse colors, textures, and seasonal interest. The Grounded website lists native plant options suitable for different conditions.

8. Misconception: Naturalization means letting the shoreline go wild

Reality: A naturalized shoreline doesn’t mean an unkempt one. You can still maintain your shoreline, just in a way that’s more beneficial to the lake ecosystem. This might involve some selective pruning, removal of invasive species, and thoughtful plant selection and placement. We can advise you on this.

9. Misconception: One property won’t make a difference

Reality: Every naturalized shoreline contributes to the overall health of the lake. While one property might seem insignificant, the cumulative effect of multiple naturalized properties can have a substantial positive impact on water quality and wildlife habitat.

Haliburton County Shoreline Naturalization Resources and Support

Here’s an overview of the local initiatives and resources available:

1. Love Your Lake Program

The Love Your Lake program has been active in the Haliburton area, conducting extensive surveys of lakefront properties. This program provides valuable data on the current state of our shorelines and offers personalized property reports to homeowners, helping them understand how they can improve their shoreline health.

2. Coalition of Haliburton Property Owners’ Associations (CHA)

The CHA has been instrumental in championing shoreline health and septic system maintenance in the area.

3. Haliburton County Shoreline Preservation Bylaw

Recognizing the importance of shoreline health, Haliburton County has implemented a shoreline preservation bylaw. While initially met with some resistance, this bylaw represents an important step towards protecting our lake ecosystems at a policy level. (Dysart et al didn’t take part in this, but instituted its Site Alteration Bylaw).

4. Natural Edge Program

The Natural Edge Program, facilitated by Watersheds Canada, offers assistance in creating personalized shoreline planting plans. They provide access to the Natural Edge Native Plant Database, a valuable tool for selecting appropriate plants for your property.

5. Native Plant Suppliers

Several native plant nurseries serve the Haliburton area. These specialized nurseries can provide plants that are well-adapted to local conditions and can offer expert advice on plant selection and care. We recommend Haliburton Micromeadows.

6. Educational Workshops

Keep an eye out for local workshops on shoreline naturalization. These events can provide hands-on learning experiences and opportunities to connect with local experts and like-minded property owners.

7. Online Resources

Several online resources can help you plan and implement your shoreline naturalization project:

8. Professional Consultations

For more complex projects or if you’re unsure where to start, consider consulting with a local ecological landscaping professional or shoreline naturalization expert. They can provide tailored advice and potentially assist with the design and implementation of your project. We here at Grounded can help you naturalize your shoreline.

A Final Thought on Haliburton Shoreline Naturalization

This article makes a good environmental and economic case for naturalizing your shoreline. But let us give you one more reason: it will make you happier!

Humans have become disconnected with nature. Not only is this a result of living in cities, it’s also in the way we interact with nature. We often see nature as something “other”, something to be controlled.

We here at Grounded think it’s time to change that perception. It’s time to work with nature, to help nature be the best it can be and, in doing so, help us become the best we can be.

Nature isn’t something to fear; it’s something that can benefit us. Let plants be plants – let nature be nature – and let us be us. It’s how we all win.

How Grounded Can Help Naturalize Your Shoreline

Grounded specializes in creating native plant landscapes in Haliburton County.

Not only do we use native plants, but we plant them in a naturalistic way, mimicking natural ecosystems the best we can.

We can help restore your shoreline by installing a diverse range of native plants that are suited to Haliburton County and to your particular location.

In short, we can turn your shoreline into a ecosystem that helps the health of your lake and provided you years of pleasure.

We work with you to meet your needs, choosing appropriate plants and installing them at your cottage. We then provide you a handbook so you know what is planted and how to manage it in the future.

Haliburton Shoreline Restoration: Our process

  1. Visit our Services page and fill out the form. Or email us at hello@groundedgardens.ca.
  2. We will come visit your shoreline. There is no obligation or cost for this visit.
  3. If we both agree there’s potential for us to work together, we’ll come up with some ideas and some sample plants, along with a cost estimate.
  4. If you like our ideas, we’ll come back with a complete list of plants for your approval.
  5. If you would like to go ahead, we request a 50% deposit on the plant cost so we secure your plant order.
  6. We install the plants at the agreed timeframe.
  7. We provide attractive metal labels to help you identify plants.
  8. We provide you with a complete handbook, telling you about the plants in your shoreline and how to manage your new garden in the crucial first few years. At this point, we request the balance of payment.
  9. We pay at least two sites visits after installation to ensure your shoreline garden is establishing.

Click here to take the first step.

Resources used for this article

  • Presentation by Julia Sutton on shorelines, given to the CHA lake stewards meeting. Link.
  • Guide to Preparing a Shoreline Naturalization Plan, by Watersheds Canada. Link.
  • Design Your Own Shoreline Garden, by The Land Between. Link.
  • The Ribbon of Life video, featuring Prof. Barb Elliot. Link.
  • The Science Behind Vegetated Shoreland Buffers, by Watersheds Canada. Link.