Episode 3 - Bluffs and Gullies

EPISODE 3/8: Bluffs and Gullies

Lake Huron’s bluffs and gullies offer spectacular waterfront views and are popular among residents and visitors alike.

Most of the bluffs and gullies on the southeastern shores exist between Grand Bend and Amberley Ontario.

Bluffs can be made of bedrock or limestone, or erodible materials like sand, gravel, and fine sediment. The bluffs on the Southeastern shores are made of this erodible fine sediment.

Bluffs and gullies are important coastal habitats for their ability to erode, and for the habitat they offer to many species of birds and mammals.

Erosion of bluffs and gullies ‘feed’ beaches down-drift providing sand and nutrients to beaches along the coast.

72% of the sediment feeding beaches within the area comes from gully erosion.

Without this input of sediment, beaches on Lake Huron would not have new sand added every year, causing shallow, wet, unhealthy beaches.

Although erodible bluffs are volatile and ever-changing, natural stabilization methods including vegetated buffers, slowing water-flow across the landscape, and proper development setbacks, are the easiest and most cost-efficient methods to preserve gully and bluff slopes.

Bluffs and gullies are a beautiful and important part of our ecosystem but can cause concern for cottagers and municipalities.
If you are unsure how to manage your bluff or gully, coastal management guides and information is available from your local Conservation Authority and the Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation.

Bluffs and gullies are unique and complex ecosystems, demanding respect, proper management and care from those who visit them.

To find out more, go to lakehuron.ca