Streams & Shorelines
As Lorain County’s population expands, our landscape’s capacity to absorb rainfall is increasingly pushed to — and beyond — its limit. As trees are cut to make way for development, and hard surfaces such as concrete cover more and more ground area, the amount of stormwater that runs into streams and rivers is growing. And that runoff carries with it debris, sediment, pollutants and heat, all of which affect the ecology of local waterways.
Figure 1. Restoration of Willow Creek in Eaton Township involved adding more sinuosity (bends), riffle-pool development, in-stream structures, and expanding riparian buffers by installing live stakes and trees.
Photo courtesy of Coldwater Consulting, LLC
The Issues
Even a moderate amount of rain can quickly discharge a large volume of water into streams and creeks. One inch of rain falling on a 1-acre parking lot, for example, can drain 27,000 gallons of water into waterways. When that much water roars through, stream beds can shift course and can also become more deeply incised into the surface of the surrounding land. Fast-moving water doesn’t allow much sediment to be deposited and, without replenishment, the stream bank may begin to erode.
Area streams also face another threat: People like to look at them. In order to clear the view, property owners often mow right up to the edge of the stream bank. Though understandable, this practice also contributes to erosion, since relatively shallow-rooted turf grass washes away more readily than a mix of plantings.
Erosion degrades wildlife habitat by adding sediment to the water and by altering the physical shape of the stream. Erosion also results in the loss of riparian, or river bank-related, land, which is itself a rich and unique habitat for wildlife and plant species. Shifting creek banks can also damage bridges, fences and roads, not to mention houses and other buildings.
First steps
So what is a responsible steward to do? The answer is not always simple. There are a few things landowners need to know when considering a stream bank repair.
The first step is to figure out whether your property and stream lie within the area designated as the 100-year floodplain. A fact sheet from the U.S. Geological Survey explains, “The term ‘100-year flood’ is really a statistical designation, and there is a 1-in-100 chance that a flood [of a particular] size will happen during any year.” Thus, the 100-year floodplain is the area that will be inundated when a flood of that magnitude occurs.
Lorain County Auditor has a flood zone map available for the public to view. Lorain County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program. Anyone seeking permission to commence any ground disturbing activities in a 100-year Flood Zone, must apply for a permit through the Lorain County Community Development Department. You can learn more here. You can also download the brochure below, created by Lorain County Community Development.
If the property falls within the 100-year floodplain, you will need to obtain permits. Contact Lorain County Community Development at (440) 328-2322 to discuss what will be needed. If it does not, you may be able to do some repairs and maintenance without permits.
Next, examine the stream in detail. Every situation is different. You have to know what the stream is trying to do. Some things to note include the size and direction of the flow; the stream’s depth and width; how steep the stream bank is; and what sort of plants grow there, including what kinds of root systems are in place.
Take a stroll and observe the current conditions, from both the top and within the stream, if possible. Be careful, as steep, unstable banks can collapse unexpectedly!
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Is the vegetation along the stream banks:
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closely mowed?
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sparse or missing?
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lacking significant root structure along the channel (that is, are roots missing on exposed banks)?
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comprised of invasive plants such as buckthorn, non-native honeysuckle, or Phragmites?
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Is the slope of the stream bank almost vertical? See Figure 2.
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During rainfalls:
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Does the stream rise and fall quickly or often flow full with rainfalls?
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Does the soil along the bank slide off after rains?
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Is the stream channel getting deeper and/or wider following intense rainfalls?
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If you can answer “Yes” to any part of two or more of these questions, your stream is a likely candidate for stabilization and/or repair.
The Power of Plants
Remediating streambank erosion is accomplished by stabilizing the soil. Plants are the best way to hold streambanks together. While above-ground stems and foliage offer protection by slowing the flow of the surface water, it is the roots that provide the most stability. Plant roots can do a good job of holding soil, but their effectiveness relates to their depth. For example, we may think turf grass will prevent erosion, but its roots might only be 4 to 6 inches deep. More stability comes from more deeply rooted trees and shrubs (Figure 3). When stream banks lack this reinforcement, unanchored soil can continue to erode until the channel reaches a bed material that can withstand the erosive flows—usually bedrock. It could take a few storms or a few years to see significant impact, but the damage is inevitable.
Figure 3. Dense plantings of native plants will help stabilize the streambank & provide habitat for wildlife.
Erosion-control options
You have several options once you decide to stabilize or repair your stream. The three options presented below have different pros and cons, mostly related to the levels of complexity, expertise required, and of course, cost.
To determine which option might be best for you, consider these questions:
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How much money do you want to invest?
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Do you want to do the work yourself or hire a professional?
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Does your stream flow year-round (perennial), seasonally (intermittent), or only during rains (ephemeral)? Note: Ephemeral streams are not typically regulated by municipalities, but perennial and intermittent streams could have restrictions about what you are allowed to do and the types of plants you can use.
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If the banks are over 5 feet tall, the typical homeowner should seek professional help to assist with solutions. Achieving proper slopes on the stream banks would require significant earth moving, and the height of the banks could cause safety issues for the nonprofessional. Consult our Contractor & Consultant List for a list of professionals that could help you.
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Do any culverts or drainage pipes flow into your stream? If so, extra care will be required not only to protect them from damage, but also to reinforce the stream banks near these structures.
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Is the stream straight, or does it meander through the landscape? Streams naturally meander. If a stream is straight, it is more likely to continue to erode and reshape naturally (although this may not be agreeable to the landowner). Professionals could assist in determining whether reshaping would be beneficial.
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Does your shoreline have a variety of plant types? If so, you may be able to add a few key plants to further stabilize the banks.
There are many ways to manage stream banks. The three options provided below are intended to help you choose a plan of action for your stream.
Option 1: Allow Natural Vegetation to Reestablish
Optimal time of year: This can be done any time of year. This option requires the least amount of effort and is the least expensive. It simply involves allowing the existing vegetation along the banks to grow wild by eliminating mowing (Figure 4). For best results, the vegetation (which could include a mixture of grasses, shrubs, and trees) should be allowed to grow on each side of the creek, typically up to 15 feet from the water’s edge. This method allows seeds in the soil, as well as seeds washing downstream, to germinate and establish on the stream bank. Not only will this option allow the roots along the bank to become deeper and thicker and to provide a more armored stream bank, but the above-ground vegetation will also slow runoff entering the channel from the sides of the stream, further reducing bank erosion.
Pros: There is no initial work or cost. Less mowing near the stream reduces maintenance time, as well as safety concerns associated with mowing near unstable banks.
Cons: This approach can look weedy & unkempt, and stream banks can still erode for several years until plants mature. Undesirable plants, such as Phragmites can take over the area. Depending on location, some occasional maintenance may be required to control undesirable/non-native/invasive plants to limit the height of some shrubs and trees. Plants may not be able to reestablish in areas of extreme bank erosion. (see Option 2).
Typical cost: Free
Figure 4. Agroforestry practices include riparian areas. Care must be taken to not allow invasive species to establish.
Tap/click to expand. Photo courtesy of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Option 2: Plant Native Vegetation Without Grading
Optimal time of year: Dormant season, typically October to March. If your stream has more severe erosion and areas where plants are unlikely to grow, you should consider additional planting to reinforce your stream banks. Because of their deep roots, native trees are a great choice. Plant native trees 5 feet from the edge of the bank, regardless of the slope (Figure 3).
An easy and affordable streambank restoration technique is to use branch cuttings of certain types of native trees and shrubs that will eventually sprout and grow called live stakes. These cuttings grow roots right where they are needed most to help prevent streambank erosion. To learn more, visit "Live Staking for Stream Restoration" or "Live Staking - A How-to Guide" for an informational video. "Streambank and Floodplain Restoration at a Glance" and StreamTender's "Planting at the Water's Edge" also provide lots of helpful information.
Live stakes can be planted along the water’s edge near the “toe” of the stream bank. The toe is the place where the bank meets the stream bed (Figure 5).
Only plant in rows as high on the bank as the soil is saturated. Soil may still slough off. But as plants grow, the root mass will begin to hold the soil together. Keep in mind, the success of these woody plantings will be enhanced if you also spread temporary or permanent seed mixes (sold as “riparian seed mixes”) that include a mixture of grasses and streamside-adapted plants.
IMPORTANT - first check to see whether work in the stream requires a permit! Check with your local township, village, city, etc. for more guidance.
Pros: This approach is cost-effective and slows erosion. New trees can offer more stream shading.
Cons: More effort is involved, and plants can take a while to establish. In areas where there are steep stream banks, this step may be only a temporary fix, and land can still be lost.
Typical Cost: ~$5 to $10 per linear foot, depending on the size of plants purchased.
Figure 5. Diagram depicting proper placement of live stakes along a stream
Option 3: Grading and Planting of Banks
In this approach, vertical banks are pulled back and graded away from the stream toward the former floodplain, essentially making them flatter, often on a minimum 3:1 slope. Because of the earthwork, these projects require the use of a small skid-steer loader or excavator. Since excavation exposes more soil, the stream banks will need to be stabilized with erosion control matting, in addition to being seeded and planted. This option provides the most ideal technique for creating a stable stream bank, but it requires the most effort and cost. This option will require more planning and will often require the help of skilled professionals.
Optimal time of year: Dormant season, typically October to March.
Pros: This approach is safer and produces more stable and attractive stream banks. Erosion and loss of land are minimized.
Cons: There is greater financial investment, and a permit is often required. Also, heavy equipment may cause soil compaction.
Typical Cost: ~$25 or more per linear foot
Figure 6. Restoration work on the Black River in Lorain County involved regrading, live stakes, and the installation of fish shelves. Photo courtesy of Coldwater Consulting, LLC. Learn more here.
Coming Together for Conservation - April 2025
View pictures below from a Lorain County live stakes workshop along Charlemont Creek in April 2025.
Thanks to the NEO PIPE group for collaborating on a region-wide series of workshops. Live stakes were purchased through the 2025 Enbridge Watershed Mini Grant Program. Photos by Lorain County Conservation District.
Questions? Concerns? We would be glad to visit to help you decide which management options you could pursue. Call us at (440) 326-5800 or email conservation@loraincounty.us to set up a site visit.
More information & Educational Opportunities:
Field Methods for Evaluating Primary Headwater Streams in Ohio (Version 4.1) Ohio EPA - pdf, 130 pages
Trainings/Conferences
Ohio Stormwater Conference May 6th - 8th, 2026 in Sandusky, OH at Kalahari Resort
Nature Based Shoreline Training at Ritter Public Library in Vermilion, OH, March 18th & 19th, 2026 with an in-field work day on May 20 (not March).
2026 Ohio Rivers Symposium. This year's theme: "Flowing Through Time" hosted by Water Management Association of Ohio. March 27, 2026 at Villa Milano Banquet & Conference Center in Columbus.