Back to the main site

Lakefront sanding

L

Lone_Star

Well-Known Member
Messages
130
Reaction score
14
Location
Detroit, MI
Anybody here add sand to there frontage? Professionally? By themselves?

Prior owner had a lot of sand brought in, but it has seen better days. Trying to decide whats the better option without breaking the bank.
 
I'll probably be attempting this this fall/spring. I'll be curious to see what comes up here.
 
Sounds like back-breaking work that would have no end...
 
Are there any environmental hurdles in doing this?  I could see the State DEP having something to say about it.
 
I can't speak for Michigan but it takes 3 different agency permits here in Indiana (DNR, IDEM, and Army Corps of Engineers), besides the local zoning codes, which is a fourth. Not an easy process. I've gone through it for seawalls twice and each one took over a year.

If it's an artificial beach in the water they permit pea gravel only here, up to a specific depth, length, width.
 
From what I have found, no need to involve DNR unless adding sand to water. If reasonably adding to land no need, but this could get tricky. I was considering doing one of the pump trucks, but wasn't sure what the cost would end up being. Maybe I will just get a truck bed full and see what that ends up doing for me in depth.
 
In Michigan technically you need a permit for "Beach Sanding".  I learned this when pulling permits for our sea wall last year. 
I have some advice on the sand.

We purchased "Santa Barbara" sand from our local landscaper.  I think you have an Angelo's landscape near you.

It was roughly $90 per Ton.  Our beach is fine golden sand now :)

The only downside is that it's soo fine of sand you will lose a lot to erosion if you have wakes up to your beach.  You can get the "mason  sand" that my neighbor likes, it's a darker color and looks dirty, but it's great for beach use with minimal erosion. 

Check the measurements and determine how far into the lake you want to go.  1 ton of sand is NOT a large amount...
 
Thanks Kells! I will look into Angelo's. Haven't heard of them, but $90 a ton doesn't seem bad. Better than 4 a bag at Home Depot
 
yea, just have them dump it on a tarp, get a couple wheelbarrows and some friends.   It moves quick if you've got the strength.  I moved 2 tons by myself last month.
 
I started to get bids on ours... Was shocked at the first bid - $4400 for just 40'x6'

Of course, that included grading the area in front of the water, fabric, etc - but still!  the builder of our house had a geotextile lake bottom installed (about 1600 sq ft of our beach front) for approx. that much!

Doesn't seem like it should be too complicated.  I imagine the type of geotextile fabric is important to prevent the grass and weeds from growing through. 
 
Yeah, that was the other thought to try and just choke out the weeds with a heavy material....$4400 for a 40x6 :eek: ......
 
That's what I said!  I was expecting around $1200-1500 range.  I'll be getting more bids for sure. 

Odds are, I will end up hiring some cheap labor to do it.  I don't think it is rocket science.  ;)
 
Good luck! Definitely don't think its rocket science and I think I might have to go the route of moving it myself one wheelbarrow at a time...
 
Our lake will be drawn down 3ft this fall so if I am going to do something like this now I'll need to act in a couple months. Oh the projects.
 
I hear that. I have another 3 years until the next 5 ft draw down. I will see about adding the black cover at that point. Now, on to the task of finding a contractor to put a 2nd story onto the house.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
We also have a problem and everything always requires permits [if you try without a permit good chance you will be heavily fines]  However we are allowed to move local dirt [still requires a permit].  After they drop the water in the late fall our association is going to take the eroded soil from the beach and move it back up
 
Most of our lake is rock bottom.  Sand seems to disappear.  The Feds and the State now want huge rip rap piled up against our sea walls--not sand.

I still don't know where 4" to 6" rocks come from.  We keep throwing them into deep water year after year, and more rocks appear in their place.
 
DNR actually nailed a guy here for altering the lake front without a permit by using satellite photos from year to year.
 
Yeah, permits will be pulled. That's incredible the DNR went to that length to get that guy
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top