Dear Shoreline Residents and Property Owners in Huron-Kinloss
Pine River Watershed Initiative Network are working together to encourage cottagers and residents along the shoreline beaches in our township to begin restoring the beach dunes following the high lake levels of the past few years. During that period, a great deal of the shoreline dune area was eroded by the wave action and high winds. Now that the lake levels have begun receding creating a wider beach which we all love and enjoy, more of the sand is exposed to wind erosion, especially during the fall and winter seasons. The beach grass has returned in most areas which helps hold the sand but larger plants with stronger root systems are needed to rebuild the protective shoreline dunes for the next high lake level period. One of the best low profile options to assist with this restoration are Junipers (Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Chip'). Junipers catch the sand and build the dunes during the high wind and blowing snow storms in the fall and winter seasons. The roots hold the sand in the spring when the high winds return. For the restoration effort to be most effective the junipers must be planted on the “Swale or Back Dune Area” on the lakeshore. Over time the dunes will build up the sand necessary to again withstand the high water period of the Lake Huron cycle.
Cottagers and residents may register for up to 4 spreading Junipers to pick-up and plant on your shoreline.
Pickup will be this spring and the exact date will be communicated to those registered.
100 Spreading Junipers available. Maximum of four per property
PLEASE PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION: NAME: EMAIL ADDRESS: PHONE NUMBER: ADDRESS FOR PLANTING: NUMBER OF PLANTS REQUESTED (MAXIMUM OF FOUR): Send details to: pineriverwatershed@pineriverwatershed.ca
Lake Huron has high and low energy beaches. High energy beaches, like Point Clark see a “give-and-take” of sand throughout the year. Low energy beaches like Sauble Beach have more sand removed by wind and wave action, than is added. On low energy beaches, protecting the sand is essential because they’re slower to recover. In high energy beaches, multiple dunes form over time providing a ‘sacrificial buffer" during highlake levels. Vegetation grows larger further inland from the water’s edge, transforming from dune grass and sedges, to shrubs, and eventually trees. This ‘succession’ of dunes is natural and is unique habitat for many rare species.
Our mailing address is: 86 Huron Street, Ripley ON N0G 2R0 Ph: 519.395.5538 Our website is: pineriverwatershed.ca Our email is: pineriverwin@yahoo.ca or pineriverwatershed@pineriverwatershed.ca Subscription preferences
