EROSION ALONG THE ILLINOIS SHORE OF LAKE MICHIGAN

Abstract

In the consideration of problems of coastal engineering in general, and of shore and beach erosion in particular, one is quite naturally apt to immediately focus attention upon our ocean shores to the exclusion of inland areas. Many are perhaps not appreciative of the fact that the five inland fresh-water lakes comprising the Great Lakes system are bordered by eight states having a combined length of shore line of approximately 3,000 miles. (See Fig. 1) Only in recent years has there been a general awakening of interest in the many and varied problems of erosion which occur along these inland coasts. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the problems existing on the Illinois shore and to outline the steps which have been taken at the State level in seeking a solution to those problems.