Armor Stone Breakwaters with Transitional Wetland

Depending on circumstances, Lake Rip Rap, Inc. usually recommends armor stone breakwaters for reservoir shorelines where the fore slope has been reduced to at least 8h:1v.  Toe protection for the breakwater is generally provided by a riprap apron placed on the fore slope.

A proposed armor stone breakwater is sometimes considered to be a hazard to boating, however, when located near the original shoreline, the structure is in shallow water where an operating power boat would be in imminent danger of running a ground regardless of the existence of a breakwater.  A shallow water location also minimizes the required quantity of stone.

An armor stone breakwater stops shoreline retreat, provides an area of quiet water near shore where a beneficial wetland habitat can flourish and space is available for the back slope to attain it's angle of repose.  Armor stone breakwaters are generally preferred over common revetments where conditions allow.