Vermilion coastal EROSION
Vermilion erosion Control
Vermilion is one of the most picturesque places to live on Lake Erie.
From the dozens of retail shops and restaurants downtown to the Vermilion Lighthouse and Main Street Beach, living in Vermilion can feel like a real-life postcard. That is, unless you’re battling Erosion on your lakefront property. If you have a failing shoreline at your lakefront property in Vermilion, you might feel unsafe, even in your own home.
At Mark Haynes Construction, we offer top-quality, long-lasting shoreline erosion solutions. We understand the urgency you might feel if your coastline is unstable. Our team of experienced professionals is adept at constructing custom-designed piers, breakwalls, revetments and more to protect and beautify your property.
Our team has found that constructing a durable, armor-stone revetment is often the most efficient and effective way to reduce and eliminate erosion at private residences on the northern coast. This method of shoreline protection was developed by the army-corps of engineers and provides a long-term solution to erosion in the Great Lakes Region. We’ll tell you all about revetments below.
“All work was done with great skill and precision. The workers were dependable, timely, competent and friendly. Contractor Haynes did all as promised and at the promised price. The work space was left clean and in good order. Very impressive!”
“Crews were here at 7:00 every morning and stayed till 7:00 on some nights to finish…they were extremely professional and answered any question we might have…we are extremely pleased with the outcome and would highly recommend.”
“Mark Haynes did a fabulous job on our revetment! We are extremely pleased with their work. We would highly recommend them.”
Re·vet·ment /rəˈvetmənt/
1. A sloping structure placed on banks or cliffs in such a way as to absorb the energy of incoming water.
2. An aggregate of Army Corps-approved limestone rocks and concrete that is laid on specially-designed fabric to protect fragile soil along the coast and prevent materials from migrating.
Our Shoreline Projects in Vermilion, OH
If you live in Vermilion, you might be familiar with a few of the erosion control projects we’ve completed in the area.
In 2018, we worked with homeowners at the Crystal Cove Condos Association to improve their insufficient shoreline protection. This project involved constructing an armor-stone revetment and breakwall and off-shore breakwall upgrades.
We’ve worked with several clients on Edgewater Drive in Vermilion to install armor stone revetments and we completed an erosion control project at Showse Park.
Click the buttons below to learn more about our revetment and breakwall projects in Vermilion.
CRYSTAL COVE CONDO ASSOCIATION
We worked with the Crystal Cove Condo Association to improve and update their insufficient shoreline protection.
We increased the height of the condo’s off-shore breakwalls to protect their cove against rising Lake Erie water levels. We also constructed an armor-stone revetment, added soil to eroded areas in the cove and re-graded the land leading up to the lakefront.
SHOWSE PARK IN VERMILION
We completed work at Showse Park in Vermilion to gently grade a walkway to the water and add a sandstone wall to hold up the shale cliff at the beach. Prior to our regrading work, high cliffs made it difficult and dangerous for visitors to access the beach.
Plans also included a new walkway down to the concrete pier and concrete ramps that allow city machinery onto the beach for regular cleaning, maintenance and grading
shoreline Protection
Services we offer
Revetments
We construct durable, long-lasting revetments designed by the Army Corps of Engineers.
Site Assessments
We’ll visit your property, assess the damage, and give you a cost estimate. Fee: $500.
Grading
Our team can regrade your beach front property according to your exact specifications.
Permitting
If your project requires engineering or permitting, we offer referrals in your area.
Breakwalls
Need breakwall repairs or installation? We provide full-service construction and maintenance.
Lawn & Utilities Protection
We use specialized mats to protect your lawn and underground utilities from our heavy machinery.
about erosion control
IN VERMILION
What’s the Best Method of Shoreline Erosion Control?
We’ve completed shoreline erosion control projects for decades and have found Armor Rock Revetments to be the most cost-effective and time-efficient option for many of our clients.
Revetments are recommended by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, who use this method of erosion control themselves.
Revetments are an excellent option for erosion control because they are aesthetically-pleasing and are the fastest method of shoreline protection to secure permitting for and construct. Revetments are 100% maintenance-free in many cases, providing a long-term solution.
Breakwalls, piers, and off-shore breakwalls are also excellent forms of erosion control. However, these methods take longer for permitting. If your property is at risk because of erosion, a longer wait time may not be worth the risks.
How Do Revetments Work?
It all comes down to dissipating wave energy and shelf-ice pushes. Revetments work by absorbing and dissipating the force of Lake Erie wave action and ice pushes. With a revetment, waves and ice carve away at 3-6 ton armor stone rocks instead of fragile soil at the coastline.
Unlike soil, toe rock can withstand enormous pressure and holds up easily in even the most severe weather conditions.
When you install a revetment, strong waves and ice pushes crash against the rocks on your shoreline, preserving the fragile soil underneath.
What Materials Do You Use to Construct A Revetment?
Revetments are constructed using 3-6 ton Army Corps-Approved Limestone Toe Rock, Concrete, and Specially-Designed Fabric that Prevents Material Migration and Protects the Soil.
How Do You Install a Revetment?
This is the fun part. To install a revetment, our team starts by laying down specialized fabric to protect the soil at the shoreline.
You can think of the fabric we lay down as a kind of seal that protects the soil underneath while holding the revetment rock and concrete materials in place.
As soon as we lay the fabric, we cover it with our aggregate of concrete and 3-6-ton army corps-approved limestone rocks, called toe rock.
Will Installing a Revetment Damage my Yard?
We understand how much work it takes to maintain a good looking lawn. That’s why we do everything possible to protect your yard and underground utilities from our heavy machinery. We lay down specially-designed mats to drive our earthmoving equipment over when we work on your shoreline.
We aim to leave your property looking just like it did when we arrived – minus the erosion. If your lawn does require grass seeding, we offer in-house reseeding services.
Should I Choose a Revetment or a Breakwall?
As a full-service marine contractor, we have all of the capabilities to construct revetments, piers, breakwalls, and off-shore breakwalls. However, many people choose to hire us for revetment construction. This is in large part because of permitting.
A breakwall permit can take up to 2-3 years to be issued by The Army Corps of Engineers. A two to three-year time frame can make an astonishing difference to erosion damage on Lake Erie. We’ve seen as much as several feet of property loss in this time frame in some areas.
Revetment permits are available in a short 1-2 weeks through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. If you are concerned about a rapidly deteriorating backyard, a revetment may be the best option for you.
Some of our clients would prefer a new breakwall, but are concerned about the time it takes to get a permit. If you share this view, you might consider installing a revetment as a short-term erosion control plan while your breakwall permit is being processed. Revetments provide lasting protection and can boost your property value, so your resources won’t be wasted.
What Can I Expect for my Erosion Repair Project?
If you decide to partner with us for a new revetment, here’s the project schedule you can expect. We’ll complete the following in order:
- Complete Initial Site Assessment and Provide Quote
- Obtain Necessary Permits
- Take Measurements & Give you a More Precise Quote
- Find the Best Access Point to Your Shoreline
- Build a Staging Area for Our Equipment and Materials
- Install your New Armor Rock Revetment
- Repair Erosion Damage
- Re-slope the Grade of your Property, as requested
- Reseed Your Grass, as requested
- Clean Up and Leave Using Specialized Mats to Protect your Lawn & Utilities
Our #1 priority is to install your armor rock revetment as soon as possible to protect against further damage. After we stabilize your shoreline, we’ll work with you to regrade the slope of your property and make any additional changes according to your specifications.
Will I Need Engineering or Permitting for a New Revetment?
ODNR has a simple permitting process that we can partner with you to apply for. If your project requires engineering or additional permitting, we offer reliable referrals in your area.
How Long Will it Take to Construct My Revetment?
We would love to provide an exact time-frame for your erosion repair project, but unfortunately everything from weather conditions to ease-of-access, and even the severity of your erosion will determine the time it takes us to complete your project.
On average, we can construct a standard single-lot revetment in 1-2 weeks from the start of construction to completion. Keep in mind that we custom-design every project, so your revetment schedule could vary. We’ll be able to provide a more accurate time frame when you schedule a $500 initial site assessment.
Is Lake Erie Erosion Getting Worse?
In recent years, Lake Erie water levels have risen to record levels – as much as 30” above normal in 2019. Record high water levels, coupled with severe weather, ice pushes, strong winds and more are accelerating the rate of erosion in many places along the Lake Erie shoreline.
In some areas along the coast in Ohio, property owners have lost up to 100 ft of shoreline property. If you’re concerned about property damage, unsafe conditions, or even your house falling into the lake, we’re here to help.
Shoreline erosion is preventable with properly installed shoreline protection.
How Much Does a Revetment Cost?
As we’ve already mentioned, no two revetments are the same. We custom-design each project based on the unique properties of our clients. Because of this, it’s impossible to provide a rough estimate, or even a range, for what to expect.
However, there are a few common factors that affect final costs. Check them out below:
- Amount of Materials Needed – How much square footage of your shoreline needs attention?
- Existing Conditions – How severe is your erosion?
- Ease-of-Access – Is your shoreline difficult to access? Will we need to access from a neighboring property?
If it’s possible, we recommend partnering with your adjoining property owners to maximize your cost-savings.
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our Work
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schedule your site assessment today.
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