Oct 27, 2020
Does Shoreline Stabilization Work?
Creating shoreline stabilization sounds pretty easy to do. Just throw some big rocks on the shore. Right!? But when you leave your shoreline, do you really think it will do the job you intended it to do?
In reality, it is labor and equipment intensive and requires special equipment and permits.
What do I have to gain by stabilization of my shoreline?
You have a lot to gain from shoreline stabilization. Waterfront property is always more expensive in comparison to a property with no waterfront. Therefore by installing erosion control (in this case, riprap), you are protecting your investment. If the shoreline is washed away or damaged, your property values diminish along with it.
Shoreline Stabilization required
Shoreline erosion can happen from numerous conditions. The typical way is from waves crashing into the shoreline. As this happens, the waves begin to undermine the foundation of the beachfront. When the shoreline is not stable, you’ll lose your lawn, trees, shrubs, and your waterfront. When a bank is unstable, it’s not safe.
There are different ways to “shore” up a beach. The two most common ways to stabilize your shoreline – riprap (limestone or granite) and steel sheet piling.
The riprap method consists of using 8″ – 30″ stones to cover the shoreline’s exposed areas. Adding riprap allows the waves to lose their energy as they pass over and into the rocks.
NOW for the proof!
Pictures are worth a thousand words!
Have you ever watched riprap in action?
Thanks to one of our many customers, we have a short video that demonstrates how riprap works. Press below –
Notice how the waves start to climb the riprap, but they dissipate in the rocks’ openings. Once the water drops below the riprap’s outer surface, it is further dispersed by more rocks under the surface.
In a major storm, some waves go so high that the spray from the waves will break over the top, as shown near the end of the video.
Be sure to call Pier & Waterfront Solutions if you would like information about the design, permitting, or erosion control estimates.
At Pier & Waterfront Solutions, we provide a free site survey to determine the best material and design for your next dock.
Want to learn more about rip-rip?
Follow this link.
Contact Dave today to get started!
Call 920-905-2588 or email Dave@wisconsinpws.com
Where are we located?
Pier & Waterfront Solutions (PWS) specializes in expert rip-rap installation from beginning to end. We are located in the center of Door County at 7325 St Hwy 57 south of Sturgeon Bay at the intersection of Idlewild Road. We look forward to serving all of your waterfront needs.
Oct 20, 2020
Today, we have an introduction for a new employee – DJ (Dave) Meier.
DJ Meier
DJ comes to us from Cottage Grove, WI (near Madison). He has been a valuable asset to our sales team for the past several months.
DJ went to school for Mechanical Design and has worked at several engineering firms in the Madison and Milwaukee area over the years.
Many of you already met DJ from his work in our Shoreline Stabilization (rip-rap) area.
DJ is now a resident of Sturgeon Bay.
May 5, 2020
Sturgeon Bay business installs Rip-Rap
Pier & Waterfront Solutions has expanded its Sturgeon Bay rip-rap business to handle the increased installation demand on Lake Michigan and the Bay of Green Bay. Installing rip-rap has prevented further destruction due to the high water levels. Pier & Waterfront Solutions has kept its excavators working through the winter to meet the demand.
PWS Co-owner, Dave Kalista, has been coordinating the work for the last two years. Dave recently reported that “As the waters continue to rise, the demand has risen with it. We recently added another excavator to handle the demand.” Dave went on to say, “With the additional excavator, we can better serve our customers in a timely fashion.”
As of Jan. 2020, local waters in Sturgeon Bay and the whole of the Door County Peninsula have risen 39,” year-to-year. 39″ exceeds records set back in 1986. Some experts predict water levels will increase by an additional 20″ by the end of summer.
Rip-rap could prevent this.
As a result, beaches are eroding at an alarming rate. The erosion is due to record-setting water levels and intense storms. Typical damage includes eroded beaches, lawns, and uprooted trees and vegetation.
How can you protect your Property?
Experts agree – rip-rap and seawalls are the best methods to protect against erosion. Of the choices, rip-rap is the least costly by far.
Contact Dave at (920) 905-2588 for more information.
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 intersection (Idlewild Road and Hwy 57).
ARE WE OPEN?
During this time of uncertainty, Pier & Waterfront Solutions is staying “open.” We have implemented measures to ensure the safety of our employees and visitors. At the same time, we are working to maintain the trusted service that you have come to expect.
We are implementing these precautionary measures:
1. Conducting as much business as possible by email, text, or phone.
2. Site visits will continue but with limited in-person meetings. 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.
Is there More?
4. Some employees will be working remotely, but they are always available by phone.
5. Any employee with symptoms or illness is sent home.
6. We continue to provide estimates and invoices by email to make the process paperless.
7. Crew starting times are being staggered to limit social interactions.
8. We keep the same crews together to limit cross interactions.
With these measures, we hope everyone will stay safe, and we will be back to normal operations soon.
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.”
Thank you for allowing us to work with you.
So – YES – ARE WE OPEN?
Please call, message, or email us with any questions.
Let’s all stay safe!
Contact:
Jerry @ (920) 493-4404 or Jerry@wisconsinpws.com – Commercial work & new/used Sales.
Dave @ (920) 905-2588 or Dave@wisconsinpws.com – Erosion control & shoreline work.
John @ (920) 493-4405 or John@wisconsinpws.com – Scheduling & Service work
Mar 3, 2020
WILL RIP-RAP PROTECT MY SHORELINE?
Headline – Lake Michigan’s water level rose 2 inches in the final week of January alone. And – it’s still rising!
So what?
A 2-inch rise in water level doesn’t seem like a whole lot, But, did you know it takes 778.4 BILLION
(that’s Billion with a B) gallons of water to do that.
DID WE GET YOUR ATTENTION?
According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District:
“Lake Michigan-Huron is starting well above its 2019 starting levels. The 2019 levels were already at their highest in years. (The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers treat Lake Michigan-Huron as one body of water.)”
The rise in water levels placed Lake Michigan well above where it started last year. It’s fair to say that with this start, we will likely see worsening erosion in 2020.
Here’s a quote from the Army Corps of Engineers –
“The current water level for Lake Michigan-Huron is 581.69 feet. That is 3 inches higher than one month ago, 20 inches higher than where it was just a year ago and 39 inches higher than where the lake typically is in January!”
Put in simplest terms, Lake Michigan and the Bay of Green Bay are very high.
ARE WE AT RECORD LEVELS?
If the month ended on January 24th, the answer would be a resounding yes. The lake level is a whopping 5 inches above the record highest monthly average, observed in 1987!
The water not only filled the Great Lakes, but it also saturated wetlands and swamps in the watershed. Those areas have served as “sponges” to absorb the excess water in the past.
After a few wet seasons, those areas can’t hold any more water. Any rain or snow that falls now ends up pushing lake levels even higher.
When lake levels rise, the rivers and tributaries feeding the bay begin to swell with the excess water. The extra water means flooding in any low-lying areas. Remember -Those areas are also saturated.
The reality of the situation is that lakes Michigan and Huron are full. The lakes are beyond full. Don’t forget – Lake Superior is also at an all-time high.
The excess water means land that has been dry for decades is now wet. Soils that haven’t seen lake levels this high since 1986 are suddenly saturated.
THE SECOND FACTOR – WIND
The wind is the second-factor driving erosion of your shoreline.
If you have a 30 mile per hour wind (especially from the NW, in our case), on top of the high water, you get a three or 4-foot wave. The water begins to slam into the shorelines at a higher level, not seen since ’86. To make matters even worse, NE winds cause a surge in water depth.
In the past, the upper levels of your shoreline only saw waves during a few storms each year. Today, the waves are pounding the shores at much higher levels on a daily basis.
Wind-driven waves batter the shoreline – one wave after another, around the clock, day in and day out. There’s nothing unusual about continuous waves. Except, now they are battering much higher on the shoreline.
The record levels of water and strong gusty winds create a lot of energy in the form of wave action.
Rip-rap helps reduce the effects of the waves.
The waves scrub the shoreline and batter the substrate. Waves loosen the once stable and dry shore over time. Now, throw in the occasional storm, and the impact intensifies even more.
SAND BEACHES
If you have sand as your predominate substrate, the waves loosen it. Eventually, the substrate breaks down and moves with the waves. The water takes away a lot of the base that’s on your shore.
Someone once said, “A picture is worth a thousand words”. Well, here’s the picture – link. This is in Lower Michigan but the same thing is happening to the Door County peninsula shorelines. Note the protection from the rip-rap areas.
HIGH EMBANKMENTS
Shoreline Erosion without rip-rap
If you have a high embankment, the situation is similar to a sand beach. With higher water and saturated ground, the waves pound against the raised embankment. Only roots, weeds, and small rocks hold the soil in place.
Now wash away the soil from the embankment, and the roots can no longer hold the ground in place. The rocks become dislodged and wash away.
BEDROCK?
With high water levels, many people have no shoreline left. The waves continuously batter the bedrock walls. Every small piece dislodged from the bedrock exposes a new surface for the waves to attack.
Moisture gets into the small fissures, and the freeze-thaw cycle begins. The freeze-thaw cycle is widespread in early spring and late fall. Once the rock loosens, the waves can remove the pieces. It’s a natural cycle. Remember, the freeze-thaw period happens to roads every winter – they are called “potholes”.
WHEN WILL THIS STOP?
It will need a drop in lake levels before you don’t have to worry about losing your shoreline.
WHAT ABOUT THE WAVES?
Waves are the result of the friction between the water and winds. Mankind has no control over wind-driven waves. There is no way to control it.
Since we haven’t mastered the art of controlling rainfall or winds, there are limited things we can do to save our shorelines.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Since we can’t control the rain or the waves, experts say the best solution is either a seawall or rip-rap.
Seawalls are the more expensive option.
Rip-Rap is the alternative to a seawall. Rip-rap will reduce or eliminate the damage caused by high water and waves.
HOW DOES RIP-RAP WORK?
As waves move towards your shore, they absorb energy. When the waves get closer to shallow water, that energy causes the waves to rise and “curl”. This action generates turbulence at the leading edge.
Rip-rap breaks the energy of the waves by absorbing and deflecting the power across the pile. We add a permeable barrier under the rip-rap to prevent the soil from washing out under it.
WILL RIP-RAP WASH AWAY?
A “toe stone” at the bottom of the rip-rap solves this problem. The “toe stone” consists of partially buried two-ton, up to 8 1/2 ton, boulder at the leading edge of the rip-rap. They help hold the rip-rap in place during wave action.
WHO DOES RIP-RAP IN DOOR COUNTY?
Pier & Waterfront Solutions (PWS) has installed many rip-rap installations to save properties like yours. Shouldn’t they be doing yours?
IS IT COST-EFFECTIVE?
Yes, Remember, your property values decrease if people see the shorelines washed out or if your lawn was carried away by the waves. First impressions are crucial to any sale.
WANT THE WORK DONE RIGHT?
PWS has dedicated teams who do nothing but rip-rap. Contact Dave @ (920) 905-2588 or Dave@wisconsinpws.com for your erosion control and shoreline work.
Tell Your Friends & Family
Have friends or neighbors you believe should see this article? Email them this link and – Thank you!
Don’t Forget
Pier & Waterfront Solutions (PWS) specializes in:
- ShoreMaster docks, lifts, and jet ski lifts;
- Lift Boss boat lift motors;
- Accessories for docks and lifts;
- Marina construction and repairs; Plus
NEW!! Shoreline erosion control and waterfront work
Visit Pier & Waterfront Solutions on Facebook also.
PWS is located at the intersection of Idlewild Road and Hwy 57. Located at 7325 St. Hwy 57. It’s 3 miles south of Sturgeon Bay, and 1 mile beyond the intersection of Cty MM (heading north).
Contact:
Dave @ (920) 905-2588 or Dave@wisconsinpws.com for erosion control and shoreline work.
Jerry @ (920) 493-4404 or Jerry@wisconsinpws.com for commercial work and new & used Sales.
John @ (920) 493- 4405 or John@wisconsinpws.com for Scheduling & Service work
Feb 4, 2020
THE PUSHER BOAT HAS ARRIVED!!
What is a “Pusher Boat”? Read on to find out.
Here’s something we can all agree on – the seasons have changed. Typically, at this time of the year, both the Bay of Green Bay & Lake Michigan are a frozen mass of ice. Not this year.
Here’s an example. This year, the Bay has not frozen over completely. In some cases, even the northern lakes are not safe to travel across. Wisconsin has had unseasonably warm weather so far.
ICE FISHING & ICE SHOVES
People who love ice fishing have seen their dreams of fishing upended. Even walking on the ice is not safe. Some fishing tournaments and charity walks had to cancel or establish a new route due to unstable, thin ice.
Ice shoves had occurred on several inland lakes and the Bay in December and January. Ice shoves usually don’t happen until late February or March as the ice begins to break up.
HERE’S THE BRIGHT SIDE
On the other hand, the warm weather allowed our excavators to continue working on rip-rap and seawalls. There have been only a few delays. (See our newly updated January 7th post and also the January 21st post for more information.)
There have been no real weather-related interruptions even in the typically “coldest” months of the year. Our biggest problem has been a lack of rip-rap. The quarries are having difficulty keeping up with the demand.
TA-DAH!!
WHAT’S NEW?
PWS is expanding into several areas in response to customer demands. The expansion required large investments in equipment and crews.
Here’s our latest news – Pusher Boat
Pusher Boat
The new PWS “pusher” or “tug boat” has arrived. We have yet to mount the motors and “knees,” but, it will be ready for the open-water season in plenty of time.
WHAT IS A “PUSHER BOAT”?
According to Wikipedia – “a pusher craft, pusher boat, pusher tug or towboat is a boat designed for pushing barges or car floats… These vessels are characterized by a square bow, a shallow draft, and typically have “knees,” which are large plates mounted to the bow for pushing barges of various heights.”
Have we “wet” your appetite for more information? Follow this link for additional information. The new services keep coming!
Don’t Forget
Pier & Waterfront Solutions (PWS) specializes in:
- ShoreMaster docks, lifts, and jet ski lifts;
- Lift Boss boat lift motors;
- Accessories for docks and lifts;
- Marina construction and repairs; Plus
- NEW!! Shoreline erosion control and waterfront work
PWS can solve your problems
PWS can be found at the intersection of Idlewild Road and Hwy 57. Located at 7325 St. Hwy 57, it’s 3 miles to the south of Sturgeon Bay, and 1 mile beyond the intersection of Cty MM (heading north).
Our staff looks forward to serving your waterfront needs.
Contact:
Dave @ (920) 905-2588 or Dave@wisconsinpws.com for erosion control and shoreline work.
Jerry @ (920) 493-4404 or Jerry@wisconsinpws.com for commercial work and new & used Sales.
John @ (920) 493- 4405 or John@wisconsinpws.com for Scheduling & Service work
