Our changing climate is accelerating shoreline erosion by increasing storm intensity, reducing protective ice cover and driving more variable water levels. These impacts put natural systems, built infrastructure, and private property at risk. We asked GEI’s Darren Hewgill, Senior Project Manager in Canada, about adaptive shoreline strategies to meet this challenge.
How is climate change affecting shoreline erosion and coastal infrastructure along freshwater shorelines where you are in Ontario, and what should property owners expect in the future?
Climate change is increasingly influencing shoreline conditions along Ontario’s freshwater lakes, affecting both municipal infrastructure and private waterfront properties. One of the most notable trends is the increase in storm frequency and intensity, which generates stronger wave action and accelerates shoreline erosion.
Traditionally, winter ice cover provides a natural buffer by limiting wave energy and protecting shorelines during colder months. However, milder winters mean reduced and less consistent ice cover, leaving shorelines exposed to open-water conditions for longer periods. This extended exposure allows waves to impact the shoreline year-round, increasing the potential for damage to assets such as roads, breakwaters, marinas, and cottages.
Additionally, shifts in precipitation patterns, including more intense rainfall events and greater snow accumulation can contribute to higher water levels, increased runoff, and slope instability. These factors further compound the stress on both natural shorelines and engineered protection systems.
Looking ahead, property owners should anticipate continued variability in water levels, more frequent extreme weather events, and a greater need for resilient shoreline protection strategies. Proactive planning and site-specific coastal engineering solutions will be key to adapting to these evolving conditions and safeguarding shoreline investments.
Why is the shoreline changing on my property, and what can I do to prevent waterfront erosion?
Shorelines are naturally dynamic and constantly influenced by wave action, water levels, wind, and ice. Erosion can occur gradually over time or more rapidly during storm events. Human activities, such as nearby construction or shoreline modifications, can also affect sediment movement and accelerate changes. Coastal engineering assessments help identify the specific causes at a site and recommend appropriate and sustainable mitigation measures.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution, as effective erosion control depends on site-specific conditions including slope, soil type, wave exposure, and water levels. Options include natural approaches like vegetation and bioengineering, or structural solutions such as revetments, retaining walls, or offshore breakwaters. It is important to consider regulatory requirements and obtain proper approvals before undertaking any shoreline work. This includes ensuring the proposed measures do not negatively impact adjacent properties.
When should existing hard shoreline protection be maintained or replaced, and are there effective alternatives using natural or hybrid approaches?
Existing hard shoreline protection such as concrete walls, steel sheet pile, or rock revetments, require regular inspection and maintenance to ensure continued performance. Signs such as cracking, settlement, toe erosion, or flanking at the ends of structures may indicate that repairs or full replacement are necessary. In many cases, aging infrastructure designed under past conditions may no longer provide adequate protection against today’s higher water levels and more intense storm events.
When replacement is being considered, property owners can evaluate alternative approaches beyond traditional hard armouring. Natural “softscape” solutions, such as vegetated slopes, coir logs, and native plantings can be effective in lower-energy environments by stabilizing soils and absorbing wave energy. In more exposed locations, hybrid solutions that combine natural elements with structural components (e.g., buried toe protection with vegetated upper slopes) can provide a balance between durability and environmental performance.
These approaches not only help reduce erosion but also enhance shoreline aesthetics, improve habitat, and align more often with current regulatory expectations. Over the long term, well-designed natural and hybrid systems can offer comparable protection with added adaptability, making them a practical and sustainable alternative to fully hardened shorelines.
How can natural shoreline features be combined with engineered protection to create effective, long-term solutions for erosion control?
Modern coastal engineering increasingly focuses on blending natural heritage features with traditional hard armouring to create resilient, long-term shoreline protection solutions. Rather than relying solely on rigid structures such as retaining walls or revetments, a combined approach integrates elements like native vegetation, natural stone, and bioengineering techniques to work with the natural environment.
These hybrid solutions help dissipate wave energy more gradually, stabilize soils, and enhance ecological function, while still providing the structural support needed to protect infrastructure and private property. By maintaining or restoring natural shoreline characteristics, these approaches also improve habitat value and preserve the visual and environmental quality of the waterfront.
This balanced strategy is often more favorable to regulatory agencies, including conservation authorities, as it aligns with policies that prioritize the protection and enhancement of natural shoreline systems. When properly designed, these blended solutions not only meet permitting requirements but also offer improved durability and adaptability, allowing shorelines to better respond to changing water levels and climatic conditions over time.
If you are facing eroding shorelines on your property and are not sure which approach works best for you, contact me to discuss a coastal engineering assessment and the potential solutions referenced above.
