A Guide for Buying and Managing Shoreland

Section 8: Natural Shoreland

Drawing of natural shoreland.

Preserve and restore native shoreline vegetation

Natural Resources Benefits - Diverse and healthy habitats

  • Protecting water quality improves the health and diversity of the aquatic environment
  • Healthy and diverse shoreland vegetation provides good habitat
  • Good habitats improve the health and diversity of shoreland and upland birds and wildlife

Visual Qualities

  • Natural shoreline is attractive as seen from the water and the land
  • Natural vegetation screens structures and makes them less intrusive
  • Native vegetation provides color, texture and variety
  • Diverse and healthy plant communities are visually attractive

Water quality benefits

  • Reduced water runoff - Precipitation is slowed and redirected through the upper story, mid-story and ground level vegetation. A mostly natural landscape has only 10% runoff.
  • Filtered water runoff - Pollutants are prevented from entering the water. Sediments are reduced and water quality is preserved. Excessive nutrients are eliminated and excessive aquatic plant growth is controlled.
  • Increased ground water infiltration - Water is filtered before it enters the ground and results in cleaner drinking and agricultural use water. Increased infiltration recharges underground aquifers. Natural landscapes infiltrate 50% of precipitation.

< Previous Section

Next Section >

Related Web pages
DNR LakeFinder
DNR Lakes information
DNR Wetlands information
DNR Rivers and streams information
DNR Restore Your Shore Guide
DNR Waters - Shoreland Management Program
DNR Waters - Shoreline Alteration Information Sheets
Current Minnesota Shoreland Rules (cross-linked with Statement of Needs and Reasonableness - Microsoft Word ® document)
Minnesota Sea Grant - Minnesota Shoreland Management Resource Guide