Properly installed retaining walls will significantly slow erosion. Soil and sediment makes its way to the shoreline during rains / water events. Retaining walls are intended to slow this naturally occurring process by keeping the sediment / soil behind the wall. Keeping the soil around your building foundation or shoreline is imperative. Excess soil in the lake creates a water depth issue on your shoreline or around your dock. Loosing soil around your building foundation could be the cause of significant foundation failure. 

Most retaining walls are made of 8 gauge steel which comes in black (raw) steel or hot dipped galvanized. You may also see concrete walls, block walls, wood walls or PVC walls. Concrete walls are generally higher than steel and water depth can prevent installation. Block walls can be difficult to maintain and flow water can wash out under the blocks. Wood wall are typically cheaper but also have a considerably shorter life span. PVC walls are NOT a new concept. They have been around for years after making their way up from coastal application. It should be noted that in comparison to coastal applications, the inland pvc panel is much thinner and more difficult to be driven into the ground. Additionally, pvc walls commonly use a wood deadman system which will deteriorate much faster than the steel system used with steel panels. Steel retaining wall panels are the most common material used in our area. This is generally due to the fact that the other systems mentioned above either cost more or are comparable to the cost of steel, many applications are not suitable for wall materials other than steel and the overriding longevity that steel wall panels provide. Look around the lake, there is a reason why you see so much steel. 

Walls are easily customized whether you like straight lines or curves or a combination of both. Additionally, you may add beach insets, Jet ski beaches or kayak ramps. However, permitting could limit the scope of creativity. 

Retaining walls are primarily designed to keep soil in. Bulkheads and seawalls, by definition, are designed to keep water out. However it is common that they are referred to as the same.  

Environmentally speaking, properly installed retaining walls actually aid our waterways by keeping this from filling up with soil / sediment. 

For steel walls, each body of water is different. There are 3 forms of corrosion we commonly see on our lakes: Alkaline corrosion, natural-water corrosion and acid corrosion. Given that each body of water has a different ph level, longevity can vary. On Cedar Creek Lake it is commonly said that black steel panels are a 20-25 year panels while galvanized is a 30-40 year panel. On Richalnd Chambers, many black steel panels are still strong at 30 plus years as the deterioration process is much slower on this body of water. 

In general, waves do not kill walls. Flowing and stagnant water trapped behind a wall is what we believe to be the largest variable in wall longevity. Retaining walls have pipe or pilings driven in the ground usually 10' or so behind them to provide rigid support using a tie back system. When the ground is saturated the potential for the deadmen to pull forward is significant. Additionally, flowing water or water shed from rains should be vented over the wall or through the wall. We quote drainage systems for all of our walls. Additionally, a properly installed retaining wall sidewalk or seawall cap is vital to protecting the integrity of your wall. Please keep in mind, a standard sidewalk is NOT recommended for your wall cap. 

Retaining walls can be curved, straight or a combination of both. The lay of your shoreline along with permitting requirements are factors that have to be concerned.