Rip Rap
The Lake Lanier Association spearheads the only initiative to save and protect the islands. The islands that dot the middle of Lanier are wonderful, irreplaceable assets. They provide opportunities for wildlife habitat, beaches and coves for recreation, fishing spots and general enjoyment on Lake Lanier. As more and more of the shoreline erodes and falls into the lake, these areas between the islands become shallower and less usable for safe recreation. There are some areas on the Lake where the entire island has disappeared as a result of constant erosion. The loss of these islands is not only a loss for recreation but also for storage capacity as the sediment added to the lake reduces the storage capacity for drinking water storage.
To date, three phases of Rip-Rap projects have been successfully completed. In total 12 islands and a little under two miles of shoreline has been protected since the initiative’s inception in 2014. The largest phase was completed in May 2020. Rip-rap stone was installed across 6,100 linear feet of shoreline or over a mile. This project protected three islands near the Old Federal Park campground and four located in the Three Sisters Islands chain. 9,600 tons or 19,200,000 pounds of stone was used to armor these seven islands.
This initiative is looking toward phase 4: Project Armor!
Introducing Project Armor: 3 Linear Miles of Rip Rap and Counting!
Article written by Skip Short, LLA Board Member and Project Armor Coordinator, for the Summer 2024 Newsletter.
We are excited to announce that Project Armor has been initiated, which is an effort to protect selected areas of shoreline in Lake Lanier. This project will provide a mile of riprap over the next few months in areas on the south end and mid-lake. These areas were selected based on past and recent surveys done regarding shoreline erosion. The majority of areas selected are islands or where there is a very high concentration of boat traffic with noticeable erosion. One such high traffic area is the convergence of the Chattahoochee and Chestatee Rivers, also known by some as the tail of Squirrel Island. The project will not obstruct future access to areas with sandy beaches, in case you are wondering.
Lake Lanier gets over 12 million visitors a year which equals a lot of wave action. Through very generous funding by our local counties, Gwinnett, Hall and Forsyth, LLA has been working hard in formulating our continued efforts to protect shoreline as we have done in the past with islands such as Three Sisters riprap placement. Project Armor was recently formulated and sent out in an open bid process to riprap installers for their services. Furthermore, LLA contacted our local quarries to ensure we received riprap pricing that allowed us to maximize the linear footage of the project.
Protecting our shoreline provides stabilization which decreases erosion thus protecting water quality by keeping sediment out of the lake. The riprap also assists in dissipating wave energy heading back in the opposite direction towards the lake. If you like to fish, riprap areas are not bad places to search for fish either. We only have so much shoreline and we need to protect it.
LLA will continue its efforts to provide a clean, full and safe Lake Lanier. Project Armor is a great example of our clean efforts and without your support and donations it would be impossible. LLA would also like to thank Gwinnett County Water Resources, Forsyth County, Hall County, US Army Corps of Engineers, Martin Marietta, Simpson Trucking and Marine Specialties for making this endeavor possible.
Be on the lookout for work going on at the 16 locations which will have signage so you can see where your donations are going. Without you – LLA’s dedicated and generous members, Project Armor would not be possible! If you are not a member of LLA, please assist us in our efforts to continue to protect Lake Lanier, the jewel of the Southeast.
Funding has been provided by:
- Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources
- Forsyth County Government
- Hall County Government
Thank you also to the contractors on the project – Marine Specialties, Martin Marietta and Simpson Trucking!
Project Armor broke ground in October 2024 and should be completed by the end of 2025.
This shoreline protection project brought to you by members of the Lake Lanier Association and these fine partners:
Support Project Armor: “Fund a Foot”
LLA expects Project Armor, in its entirety, to cost over $600,000. About 75% of the project budget has been funded by the counties – Gwinnett County, Forsyth County and Hall County – and other various donations. We still need to raise approximately $150,000 to fully fund Project Armor. Over the next few months and into the first half of 2025, you’ll see LLA instate various fundraising campaigns to help us reach that goal.
Through a rigorous RFP process and working with local quarries, haulers, and installers, we’ve been able to achieve an affordable rate per foot for the riprap project. Approximately 1 linear foot of rip rap costs $100. As we work to fundraise the remainder of our goal, we’re asking those who love Lake Lanier and support this Full Lake effort to consider ‘Funding a Foot’ with a $100 donation to LLA’s Project Armor effort.
Donations can be made through the LLA website or via check. Please note “Project Armor” or “Rip Rap” in the memo. The online platform for donations has an “Additional Notes” section where this note can be made, or it can be included in the memo line of a check. This will help the LLA team differentiate general donations we receive, from funds intended for Project Armor effort.
Thanks to the generous support of the local counties and our donors, we are excited to be able to get started on Project Armor now, given that we have most of the funding for the overall project. Project Armor is possible thanks to the support of the whole Lake Lanier community. Please consider donating to help LLA achieve success in our Project Armor effort!
WHY WE NEED RIP RAP
The islands that dot the landscape all over Lake Lanier contribute to the lake’s natural beauty. When the lake is at full pool, or 1,071 feet above sea level, there are approximately 160 visible islands. The islands offer a paradise for many lake visitors, with many favorites claimed early on popular summer weekend days.
With growing concern, LLA has recognized that many islands do not exist in their full glory anymore. Overuse and erosion have stripped them of their beauty, transforming them into hazardous areas. While shoreline erosion is a natural process, the increase in Lake Lanier’s boating activity has sped the erosion process, causing significant shoreline loss.
Not only does erosion cause a safety hazard for boaters, but erosion also leads to increased siltation. As silt builds up on the bottom of the lake, it effectively reduces the lake’s water storage capacity. Lake Lanier provides water for more than 4 million residents in North Georgia, so any reduction in the amount of water the lake can hold is a serious concern.
