I grew up on lake in Brainerd Minnesota so I never knew that lakes had anything but pure sand bottoms and shorelines

When our family moved to a "city lake" just 8 miles from the heart of downtown Minneapolis, my young daughters quickly let me know that the 750 feet of shoreline full of muck, silt and weeds was not going to be acceptable! After a great deal of research and testing the Weeders Digest began to take shape.

Since that time we have successfully created a swimming area witout the use of chemicals or imported sand. 

Using the tools and tips found here on the Weeders Digest should help you avoid the need to add a truck load of sand.

Here are a few thoughts regarding this practice......

Adding sand to your beach might seem like the fastest way to solve your weed and muck problems. Just bring in a dump truck and have an Insta-Beach!   It is my strong personal opinion that this is actually one of the worst ways that you can manage your shoreline. Especially from an environemental stand point.

I have seen the amount of debris and sediment that is oftentimes found in sand that is brought into a shoreline.

Adding fill to your shoreline is an activity commonly considered as "excavation".

Always check with your local authorities before proceding.  Review "Your State Regulations" page of the WeedersDigest for more info. CLICK HERE

Below is the statement that the Minnesota DNR gives for creating a "Beach Sand Blanket".  (You may not be in Minnesota but may have the same rules)

Beach Sand Blanket - A DNR Public Waters Work Permit is not required if the beach sand:

1. Does not cover emergent vegetation, unless already authorized by an Aquatic Plant Management permit from the Department's Division of Fisheries;
2. Clean, inorganic sand or gravel, free of pollutants and nutrients;
3. No more than 6 inches thick, 50 feet wide along the shore, or one-half the width of the lot (whichever is less), and no more than 10 feet waterward of the Ordinary High Water Level;
4. Local watershed district and local zoning officials must be given at least 7 days prior notice;
5. Site is not a posted fish spawning area; and
6. Installation of sand and gravel may only be repeated once at the same location, not exceeding same amount and dimensions of the original sand blanket.

Below is the type of NATURAL shoreline that I grew up with....

Now, The rest of the story.....

(PS: The WeedersDigest Newsletter is subscribed to by more people in warmer climates than in the north so for many of you, this story may make no sense whatsoever!)