Minimize stormwater runoff down the bluff
- Consider maintaining an unmowed strip of land, 10 to 20 feet, from the top of steep slopes; let deep-rooted vegetation anchor the top of the bluff slope and the bluff itself
- Minimize impervious (paved) surfaces and mowed lawn area
- Direct runoff from paved surfaces into vegetated areas
- Direct runoff away from the bluff edge to prevent soil erosion
Manage soil erosion
- Stabilize bare slopes
- Be careful when removing invasive species, which may leave soils bare and prone to erosion
- Cover bare soils with biodegradable erosion control blankets and/or logs
- Plant bare areas with seedlings or seeds of native species and mulch
Maintain a Healthy, Native Bluff Environment
- Properly dispose of yard waste, including grass clippings, leaves, twigs, and pet waste (Not over the bluff)
- Clippings may contain chemicals that wash off into the waterways
- Clippings also decompose and release nutrients, such as nitrogen, which attracts invasive species
- Piled yard waste, when left to sit, kills the underlying vegetation. This exposes those soils, and makes them more susceptible to erosion.
- Consider planting native species along a 10-20 foot buffer from the top of the slope
- Learn to identify invasive species, and consult best practices for control
The above best practices are adapted from techniques identified in the MN DNR's Conserving your blufflands booklet that was intended for property owners along the St. Croix River.
Additional information about bluff and steep slope protections are found in the MN DNR's shoreland management best practices.
Information about protecting natural resources at home and in your community are available on Hennepin County's website.
