How vegetation loss makes property more vulnerable to erosion and flooding

Natural vegetation retained

intact ground cover, shrubs, and trees on steep slope hold soil in place, protecing house from risk of erosion and slope failure. Intact aquatic and shoreline vegetation protect cabin from wave erosion.

In this scenario, the home on the bluff meets structure setbacks and lots of natural vegetation on the slope provides stability against soil erosion and slope failure. The home on the right does not meet structure setbacks from the water and it doesn’t meet the required elevations, but it is protected from wave erosion by aquatic and shoreline vegetation.  In this condition, both structures benefit from the protection of natural vegetation.

 

Contemporary shoreline development

removal of natural vegettion reduces the capacity to absorb and slow runoff, incresing flooding. removal of natural vegetation also inreases the risk of slope erosion and failure, especially with more runoff and rain.

In contrast, suburban-style or lawn to lake shoreland development features little to no natural vegetation. Under historical rainfall amounts and intensities, the loss of this natural protective barrier increases the risk of property loss due to slope failure and shoreline erosion.

 

Contemporary shoreline development + climate trends

increasing rain intensity means even greater risk of flooding and further increases the risk of slope erosion and failure and property loss

With more rain and more intense rain events, structures on or near steep slopes and shorelines unprotected by natural vegetation are at even greater risk to loss and flooding.

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