Erosion Control

The purpose of erosion control around Lake George is to reduce the damage that water causes as it flows downhill.  This can be caused by heavy or prolonged rain events, or even spring snow melt.  Erosion control is always a concern when dealing with land issues, both on and off trails.  Along trails, heavy storms can wash out sections of trails, or damage them severely.  One method used to help divert water from the trails is the use of waterbars.  Waterbars can take the form of many shapes and sizes, but the idea is always the same:  attempt to re-direct flowing water off the trail.  Generally, waterbars are trenches that are dug into the trails at about 30-degree angles.  As water comes down the trail, and hopefully before it gains momentum, it flows into these trenches and is directed off to the side.

Erosion can also take place in areas of bare ground, such as abandoned gravel pits.  In these areas, the LGLC has used hydroseeing and tree planting to help re-establish a vegetative layer that will hold the soil in place in order to avoid increased sedimentation caused by stormwater flowing down slopes.