Erosion: Upland

Erosion, the displacement of soil by wind and water action, is perhaps the most common problem that property owners face. It is also a major source of declining water quality.

The buffer zone blocks the erosion process by protecting the land from the water and the water from the land.

Upland erosion occurs when water runs over land forming channels or gullies. Sediment is able to travel easier through the channels and into the lake. Upland erosion becomes even more of a problem when upland trees, shrubs, and undergrowth are removed or soil is compacted. The erosion damages and devalues the property because runoff from upland areas is prevented from soaking into the soil. Under natural circumstances, vegetation absorbs and stores water, slows the flow, and allows water to infiltrate the soil.

Erosion directly affects the lake ecosystem. Sedimentation clouds the water, making it difficult for plants to photosynthesize and fish to feed and, consequently, affecting others in the food web. Nutrients and other pollutants carried in the runoff degrade water quality.