Seawall Project #2 - Shawano Lake

On Shawano Lake, we restored another shoreline that had taken quite a beating over the years. The existing seawall had cracked and shifted so far up into the landowner’s lawn from repeated ice shove that it was barely doing anything to protect the shoreline anymore. What was left of the wall was a reminder of how tough lakefront conditions can be—and how much better solutions like engineered riprap can perform in the long run.

The failing seawall was removed and replaced with riprap, a carefully engineered rock placement designed to absorb and disperse wave energy instead of reflecting it back toward the shore. Riprap is also far more resilient to ice movement and creates valuable habitat for fish and other aquatic species—something a solid seawall simply can’t provide.

Behind the new riprap, we worked with the landowners to design native plantings that matched both their love for gardening and the shoreline’s ecological needs. Native plants send roots deep into the soil, helping stabilize the bank, soak up surface water runoff, and provide vital habitat for pollinators. Some of the standout species in this project include Nodding Pink Onion, Leadplant, and Tall Beardtongue—all beautiful, hardy natives that will thrive along the lakefront.

These homeowners were an absolute joy to work with, and their enthusiasm for native gardening truly shines through in this project. The result is a shoreline that’s not only strong and sustainable but also full of life, color, and character.