26a Standards for Residential Structures

Shoreline Stabilization

TVA will determine whether shoreline erosion is sufficient to approve any stabilization treatment proposed by shoreline property owners.

Biostabilization of eroded shorelines

1. Moderate contouring of the bank may be allowed to provide conditions suitable for planting of vegetation.
2. Tightly bound bundles of coconut fiber, logs, or other natural materials can be placed at the base of the eroded site to deflect waves.
3. Willow stakes and bundles of live cuttings of suitable native plant materials may be planted along the surface of the eroded area.
4. Native vegetation may be planted within the shoreline management zone to help minimize further erosion.
5. Riprap may be required along the base of the eroded area to prevent further undercutting of the bank.

Use of gabions and riprap to stabilize eroded shorelines

1. The riprap material must be quarry-run stone, natural stone, or other material approved by TVA.
2. Rubber tires, concrete rubble, or other debris salvaged from construction sites shall not be used to stabilize shorelines.
3. Gabions (rock wrapped with wire mesh) that are commercially manufactured for erosion control may be used.
4. Riprap material must be placed so as to follow the existing contour of the bank.
5. Site preparation must be limited to the work necessary to obtain adequate slope and stability of the riprap material.

Use of retaining walls for shoreline stabilization

1. Retaining walls are allowed only where the erosion process is severe and TVA determines that a retaining wall is the most effective erosion control option or where the proposed wall would connect to an existing wall on the lot or to an adjacent owner’s wall, with the adjacent owner’s permission.
2. The wall must be constructed of stone, concrete blocks, poured concrete, or other materials acceptable to TVA. Railroad ties, vehicle tires, broken concrete, brick, creosote timbers, and asphalt are not allowed.
3. Reclamation of land that has been lost to erosion is not allowed.
4. The base of the wall must not be located more than an average of two horizontal feet lakeward of the existing NSP elevation. Riprap must placed at least two feet in depth along the footer of the wall to deflect wave action and reduce undercutting that could eventually seriously damage the wall.

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Additional information

You can landscape your shoreline property in a way that enhances its beauty and protects against erosion. Read TVA’s Riparian Restoration fact sheets.

 

Also see drawings of sample shoreline stabilization projects (PDF file, 334 kb, requires Adobe Acrobat Reader).