Whereabouts are you? How much sun/shade do you get there?

We are Deep South (HOT AND HUMID Zone 9a) West facing so pretty much full sun.

Well, you are going to need to get something in there to stabilize the slope before erosion starts in. Pitty the hill was completely stripped, and the hard anchor trees got cut down. But the dock might provide some protection from lake erosion. Since it's a slope, you don't need to worry about drainage, science takes care of that. Your current concern is the drainage carrying away the soil.

Fortunately you are in an area where you have options for ground cover. I would recommend a few larger plantings of trees or shrubs to make new hard anchors. From there is more of a matter of prefrence. Do you want some flowers, just foliage, low growing, height interest?

Wouldn't it be nice to restore some of the native waterside species which have been removed for the dock building?

Thanks all so far for the input. We are in the hard hit hurricane zone so the spindly pines tend to just snap like twigs so we decided to mitigate the damage early and prevent it. We did though leave the stumps and roots intact to retain the soil for some type of erosion control.(under the deck) Yes we would love some low ground cover directly behind the dock as snakes are another issue so something that doesn’t hide them. A nice tree on the other side would be nice but mainly looking for ideas w rock beds and ground cover that water will flow through. Any ideas welcome. TIA

You have erosion controls issues under the dock? The pics look good and the deck fairly new, I wouldn't have guessed you have issues under the dock. From the pics I figured just the slope leading up to the dock needs anchoring. You might also need boulder or breaker/wall set or other remediation at the waters edge if you have drop off issues. Depending on what the issues are under the dock, how far it's gotten, you might need to pull and refoot it.

It's a slope, water will flow through it unless you put blacktop or concrete over it to seal it off. Any groundcover will flow through. Or other plantings. Do try to use native species if you can. Look for things noted for erosion control in your area. Since you are in a year round warm area, don't expect your dead tree roots to last as an anchor. I can't really recommend any rock gardens since they aren't very good at retaining slopes.

In the meantime, you can try tacking down straw with erosion control cloth to help slow down what will happen when it rains. That won't last in the long term either, but it can buy you some time to get your other things in order. If you have storms, keep an eye out for drops or sinks developing at the waters edgte.

Hi! The slope under the deck is good and we left most of the root structures so as not to disturb the soil. The dirt is hard and compact and well established. We just want to prevent future upper slope problems.(yes, I’m sure the break down of the stumps and under the dock will occur but I’m thinking all the old vegetation in the meantime will grow back off setting that most likely) that upper slope that’s exposed is what I’m looking for suggestions on. A ground cover that doesn’t grow high due to snakes and maybe a nice tree. Would love the look of maybe small rocks incorporated w some curving design. Drought hardy too as no water supply there except what Mother Nature supplies. Thanks all!!