If you have property with dunes, your dunes
will need extra care and maintenance. Dunes
are constantly shifting and moving, and no
matter what is done, nature usually prevails.
Erosion is a natural process that occurs
in sensitive dune areas or in high storm
surge areas. Therefore, structures (including
houses) should never be built on or near
a primary dune (the one closest to the water).
Visit the Shoreline
Development page for
information about special
regulations regarding structures on dunes
that every dune property owner should know.
All primary dunes along the Lake Ontario
shoreline should be vegetated, usually with Champlain
Beachgrass (Ammophila champlainensis). Other Lake Ontario dune stabilizing plants include tall
wormwood (Artemisia caudata), Eastern cottonwood (Populus
deltoides) and two rare shrubs, sand-dune willow (Salix cordata)
and sand cherry (Prunus pumila). These plants are generally
not available in garden shops. Contact your County Soil and Water
Conservation District for plant purchasing information.
For beachgrass planting instructions
download or print How
to Protect
your Beachfront Property with Beachgrass [71KB
PDF] to learn how and when to plant beachgrass.
Other guidelines to follow to prevent dune erosion are:
- Build boardwalks over
dunes to reach the beach.
- Use snowfencing to encourage dune growth.
Bluffs
