Natural Buffers

This is what happens during a rainstorm when shorelines are cleared of native plantings, leaves, twigs and duff - without these kinds of obstructions, rainfall runs across the surface as overland flow with nothing to slow it down. 

The water then cuts downwards as it drops and hits the groun below, creating rills in the sediment.

Even having a small buffer of lawn in between a sloping paved driveway and the lake is not enough to slow it down and dissipate the energy so it can be absorbed into the soil.

The displaced sand and lawn-accoutrements (fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides) then end up in the lake.

Natural buffers and shorelines absorb the energy of the water before it becomes overland flow. Water can then soak down into the ground. With the lake level low, the exposed shoreline we see is not dissected with rills from water running down from above.

Keep your shorelines natural!