You should also consider whether the slope to your shoreline is fairly gentle, moderate or quite steep. This will determine if you should build a pathway, what you should use to cover the pathway or if you should build a set of stairs.
Determine if you should build a pathway or stairs based on shoreline slope.
Gentle Slope
Pathway can be curved or straight. Tread materials could be pine needles/leaves, woodchips & crushed gravel, or erosion control mix.
Moderate Slope
Pathway should be curved. Tread materials could be woodchips & crushed gravel and/or erosion control mix.
Steep Slope
Pathway should be curved. Tread materials should be erosion control mix, although in this situation it’s better to have stairs that are raised with open backs.
Stairs
If the slope to your shoreline is steep, then stairs offer a safe and easy way to access your shoreline.
But once again, there’s more to know!
Tread Spacing
Your stairs should be raised with open backs and the tread boards should be about 2.5 cm apart. This will allow rain to fall between the boards instead of running off your stairs and into your lake.
It will also allow sunlight to reach the vegetation below so it can grow and protect against erosion.
Landings
You can also add a few landings to offer a place to rest and enjoy the beautiful view!
All it takes are a few simple “steps” to improve your shoreline access while benefiting nature!
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