Thanks, it was a lot of work. We wheelbarrow'd about 18" of topsoil from the road down to the shoreline to bring the level up to the top of the seawall - about 150'. Luckily its downhill. We cut them to length with an abrasive blade on a circular saw. Didn't think about using a torch.....

Have you looked into the silt fence that contractors use?

www.hoosierpondpros.com

[Linked Image from lh6.ggpht.com]
http://www.pondboss.com/subscribe.asp?c=4
3/4 to 1 1/4 ac pond LMB, SMB, PS, BG, RES, CC, YP, Bardello BG, (RBT & Blue Tilapia - seasonal).