Boulder Retaining Walls and Shoreline Installation on Lake Washington

Waterfront properties on Lake Washington deal with a real problem - wave action, runoff, and unstable slopes that eat away at the bank year after year. Left unchecked, that erosion doesn't just affect your yard. It undermines the land your home sits on. That's exactly what we were dealing with on this job.

Here's what we were working with: a steep, bare slope running right down to the water's edge. The bank was actively slumping toward the lake, and the soil had nothing holding it in place. We brought in compact excavation equipment to work the slope safely and precisely, grading the hillside and setting the foundation for a two-part solution - a shoreline rock installation at the waterline and a full boulder retaining wall system up the slope.

The shoreline work was done first. We packed rounded fieldstone tightly along the water's edge to absorb wave energy and hold the toe of the slope in place. From there, we worked uphill with large natural boulders, stacking them into a retaining wall that can handle the pressure of the hillside behind it. These aren't decorative rocks. They're sized and positioned to stay put long-term.

What we ended up with is a shoreline that works on every level. Structurally, the wall intercepts erosion before it can reach the lake. Practically, it protects the property value and the land itself. And visually, the natural granite tones blend right into the waterfront setting without looking forced or out of place. The seeded slope above ties it all together cleanly.

This is the kind of work that pays for itself over time. A properly built shoreline and retaining system stops the damage cycle before it compounds. We take that seriously on every job - the materials, the placement, and the long-term performance of what we build.