Shoring up the Shoreline at Raptor Center

By Dick Zartler, 2007

During the first week in March a group of Blackland Prairie Master Naturalists, led by Rick Travis and Lorelei Stierlen and joined by Lisa Travis, Susan Abernethy and Dick Zartler, planted over 300 cuttings to help stabilize the BPRC’s eastern shoreline on Lavon lake.

The eastern shoreline, on the open lake, steep and consisting of unconsolidated clays, has been eroded over almost 70 years by a combination of “wave wash” from passing boats and periodic changes in water levels. The cuttings were about 18” to 24” long and consisted of black willows and buttonbushes, both water-loving local natives. Holes for the cuttings were made with simple probes and averaged 6-10 inches deep.

Additional plantings of up to 200-300 cuttings are planned in the next few weeks, Contact Lorelei (Lorstierlen@gmail.com) if you want to help.

Periodic updates on the success of this stabilization are planned.