Summer ended – Boating Season is over

SUMMER HAS ENDED

Summer for many people has ended. It’s a sad time for many people. People are heading home. Many families have to get back for school for the kids and can only come back on weekends. Still, there will be some great days left this Fall. 

Many of our customers are from out of state. In fact, we have customers from almost ALL the United States. They return each year to enjoy some of our great Wisconsin weather. The size of the crowds will begin going down after Labor Day.

Have no FEAR!    Spring is just a couple of months away!

But still, it’s a sad time for many people. Our Chicago and Minnesota customers are among the saddest at this time of the year. Why? They face another year of being defeated by the Packers.

 

Who else faces problems at this time of the year?

Another group is people with storm-damaged equipment. The Fall storms get stronger in September and October. That’s why we move as fast as we can to get to your location to safeguard your equipment by removing them for the year. The freezing water doesn’t help either.

If you have damage to your equipment please call Jerry @ 920-493-4404.

 

Not using your docks and lifts anymore this year?  

It’s a good idea to drop Keri, our Service Manager, a line letting her know you are ready to be removed. Give her a date when your canopy will be down and your boat stored for the year. Email your message to Keri@wisconsinpws.com. She will put you on the schedule.

It’s particularly tough this year for our crews. One of the dealers in Door County closed expectantly before Memorial Day. Our teams will be working longer hours to adjust to the influx of new customers. As the days get shorter, they will be working by their headlights to meet the schedule.

 

Four things you should know about fall storms:

  1. PWS will assist you if a storm damages your equipment. We prepare Free estimates to cover your damage. Insurance companies then use the estimates to prepare a settlement for you. 
  2. We recommend you read this article before talking to the insurance company. Take pictures of all the damage. The more images, the better.
  3. PWS can also salvage your equipment and make winter repairs, so you are ready to go in Spring.
  4. PWS will move your equipment to another location if you sold it or bought another property.

 

PROPERTY DAMAGE?

Lake Michigan shoreline erosion

              Shoreline Erosion

Do you have property damage, eroded beaches, and lawns? Don’t forget, Pier and Waterfront Solutions has a complete rip rap service available. We’ll have your shoreline repaired for Spring.

Call DAVE at 920-905-2588 for more details. 

 

Where is Pier & Waterfront Solutions?

Located at 7325 St. Hwy 57, it’s 3 miles south of Sturgeon Bay and 1 mile past the intersection of Cty MM (heading north). Look on the right side, one mile north, at the next corner (Idlewild Road and Hwy 57).

 

Is PWS OPEN?

Pier & Waterfront Solutions remains “open.” We have implemented measures to help ensure the safety of our employees and visitors. PWS continues to work to maintain the trusted service that you have come to expect.

 

PWS implemented these preventive measures:

1. Conducting as much business as possible by email, text, or phone.

2. Site visits will continue. When in-person contacts are necessary, we will follow “social distancing” guidelines.

3. Our display yard is always open for you to examine at your leisure. All displays have a numbered, red tag on them. If you want more information or pricing, please reference that number.

 

What can YOU do to help us? 

1. Please conduct as much business as possible via emails, messaging, and emails. This step protects everyone involved.

2. When you see our crews installing equipment, please practice “social distancing.” Remain at a safe distance.

 

Thank you for allowing us to work with you.

YES – PWS is OPEN and waiting for you! 

Please call, message, or email PWS with any questions.

Let’s all stay safe!

Storm damage cleaning up

Thank you, Jerry.

We appreciate greatly all the efforts made by Jack, Dave and Austin on our behalf.  Please share our gratitude with them and Will and Ben, as well.  They did a terrific job putting everything back together and cleaning up the area 🙂

Kindly,

Peggi T

sooo happy with the dock! 

sooo happy with the dock! 

Jerry & Keri:

We are sooo happy with the dock!  The three men who installed it are to be commended.  They are Awesome!

Thank you so much for getting it in.  We will recommend your company to all.  You have been great to us!

Mary and Gary L.              Egg Harbor

CAUSES OF SHORELINE EROSION

WHAT CAUSES SHORELINE EROSION? 

Lakeshores are areas of constant dynamic energy. Powerful waves, high water, and ice move soil particles away from shorelines. In more severe cases, small pebbles and eventually rocks begin to wash out. When the water reaches far enough up the shoreline, erosion of lawns and exposing tree roots start. 

We’ll try to answer some of your questions today.

 

What are the leading causes of shoreline erosion?

On open water like Green Bay, the three leading causes of erosions are:

    1. Wave action;
    2. High water; and 
    3. Ice movement.

The ice on frozen lakes or the Bay can expand towards the shore with a force of many tons per square foot. The ice will destroy most obstacles in its path. Masses of ice put in motion by winds can push trees or buildings over, as exhibited here.

 

            Ice vs deck erosion

tree roots exposed by water

      Shoreline tree roots exposed

 

Ice also pushes embankments, uprooting trees and lawns on small inland lakes. No matter how massive a tree is, the ice won’t slow down for it.

 

Ice Shove uprooting trees

      Ice Shove uprooting trees

 

 

 

 

 

 

In relatively small inland lakes, breaking waves can erode lawns away.  

Headlands (points) usually have relatively high erosion rates. The waves, currents, and the ice will attack from all three sides. These attacks eventually transport the sediments to a new location where they settle in calmer weather.

 

Erosion is a normal process of nature.

Erosion and the redistribution of sediments is a natural process along shorelines. Typically, natural erosion proceeds very slowly. The plants and animals that live along the shore can adjust to these slow changes. They maintain a stable, healthy, productive ecosystem.  

Accelerated erosion results when natural or human disturbances cause this equilibrium to be upset. Examples of this are higher than normal water levels and intense storms.

Human disturbances include vegetation removal, dredging, filling, or construction near the shoreline.

Another example of natural disturbances is large trees uprooted by a windstorm or a flood. When the soil becomes saturated with water, it weakens the soil around tree roots. The winds may uproot that tree.

 

IDENTIFY SERIOUS EROSION PROBLEMS

These are several signs of severe erosion problems. (Number one and three are significant)

  1. A large area of bare soil on a steep, high shoreline bank;
  2. A measurable change of the shoreline over time;
  3. Leaning or downed trees with exposed roots; and
  4. Large patches of muddy water near a lakeshore during periods of high water or following a rainstorm.

 

3 TYPES OF REACTIVE EROSION CONTROL METHODS:

Vegetative/No Mow: This method involves encouraging or planting trees or woody shrubs for the soil binding properties of their root systems. Grass and other plants will protect against raindrop impact and scouring from surface runoff.  

Structural: This includes protective structures. The placement of rock of various sizes (rip-rap) has traditionally been the most effective and least expensive method. 

Other structural methods include bulkheads, gabions (rock-filled baskets), and railroad ties. However, these methods are visually unappealing. They require more heavy equipment and technical expertise. These systems are more prone to failure than simple rip-rap. In addition, the DNR has disapproved of these methods in the past.

Manipulative: Mostly used on streams, this includes:

      1. Removing streamflow obstructions;
      2. Grading shoreline banks, or, in exceptional circumstances;
      3. Rerouting a stream channel.

 

Are there new techniques developed to prevent erosion?

A new soil preservation method called bioengineering has been proven successful. 

Soil bioengineering combines mechanical, biological, and ecological concepts. These methods arrest and prevent shoreline erosion. An example is planting willows interspersed with rip-rap, where the rock provides immediate resistance to decay. 

As the willows become established, roots invade and permeate the rock and underlying soil. They bind them together into an erosion-resistant mass. The willows also impart a more “natural” look to the shoreline.

 

Water levels are down; I don’t have to worry – Right??

This year, people do see water levels about 18-24″ less than in 2020. High water levels are the most significant contributing factor to shoreline erosion.  

Will it stay down next year or in the years after? No one knows. In Las Vegas, that’s called a crapshoot.

 

What other factors affect my shoreline?

The next factor is the intensity of the storms. The Door County Peninsula had numerous high wind storms this year with up to 70 MPH winds.  

A popular Marina in Sturgeon Bay: Skipper Bud’s Harbor Marina, located at the foot of the Michigan St. bridge, was a victim of a recent storm. 

The marina had two of its five floating docks torn loose during a strong storm. Two tub boats quickly moved in place to prevent them from swinging into the bridge.

 

Are there other contributing factors to shoreline erosion?

You can expect water levels to rise rapidly when winds blow from the NW – NE direction for prolonged periods. This is despite the lower water levels this year. The stronger the winds, the higher the water will go. Waters south of Sturgeon Bay are particularly affected by these winds. In those areas, there are no other large outlets for the water to escape.

 

DO YOU NEED AN ESTIMATE FOR RIP-RAP?

Contact Dave@ 920-493-4406 or email at Dave@wisconsinpws.com.

 

What comes next?

Next week (on Aug 10, 2021), we will cover:

          1. Planning an erosion control project;
          2. Does erosion hurt my property values?
          3. What to expect for the cost of rip-rap.

 

Where is Pier & Waterfront Solutions?

Located at 7325 St. Hwy 57, it’s 3 miles south of Sturgeon Bay and 1 mile past the intersection of Cty MM (heading north). Look on the right side, one mile north, at the next corner (Idlewild Road and Hwy 57).

 

Is PWS OPEN?

The “Delta” variant is currently surging across the country. 

Pier & Waterfront Solutions remains “open.” We have implemented measures to help protect the safety of our employees and visitors. PWS continues to work to maintain the trusted service that you have come to expect.

 

PWS implemented these preventive measures:

  1. Conducting as much business as possible by email, text, or phone.
  2. Site visits will continue. 
  3. When in-person contacts are necessary, we follow “social distancing” guidelines.
  4. Our display yard is always open for you to examine at your leisure. 
  5. All displays have a numbered, red tag on them. For more information, please reference that number.

 

What can YOU do to help us? 

1. Conduct as much business as possible via emails, messaging, and emails.

2. When you see our crews installing equipment, please practice “social distancing.”

Thank you for allowing us to work with you.

 YES – PWS is OPEN and waiting for you! 

Please call, message, or email PWS with any questions.

Let’s all stay safe!