Boat Docks

Q. Can I have a dock adjacent to my property on the lake?

A. Placement of docks is regulated by the Shoreline Management Plan approved in 1973 and reviewed most recently in 2006. Docks are allowed on approximately 6% of the shoreline. Maps showing areas where docks are permitted are maintained at the Project Office. You must receive approval of the proposed site and receive approval of construction plans prior to placing a dock on the lake, irregardless of land ownership at the water.

Q. What should I do if I am considering purchasing property next to Corps land around the lake if having a dock is important to me?

A. You should always contact the Corps before purchase of property adjacent to the project lands. We can inform you of regulations governing use of federal lands, flowage easement considerations, and also if a boat dock can be placed on the lake in your area.

Q. Can I have ownership in more than one dock on the lake?

A. A family unit is limited to a maximum of two single-sized boat slips and may not own interest in more than one mooring facility. In other words, a family unit may have only one of the four following items:

a) a permit for a private floating facility which does not exceed two slips

b) a permit for a mooring buoy

c) a permit or Real Estate license for a tramway (all lengths)

d) ownership of up to two slips in a community dock.

e) A Real Estate outgrant for an embayment.

Q. Can I just tie my boat up on the shoreline?

A. No. All vessels when not in actual use must be removed from project lands and waters. Boat owners are required to moor their boats at approved sites (permitted private or community facility or commercial marina) or remove the vessels from public property.

Government Property

Q. What can I do on the government property between my residence and the lake?

A. Shoreline zoning in your area will affect what you can do on government property. If zoning allows, you may be issued a permit for a meandering foot path to the lake with a maximum width of six feet; or a permit for maintenance of a limited area for fire protection purposes. Neither permit allows cutting of trees or trimming of trees. Maintenance means mowing grass or removing limited small underbrush only in the area authorized on the permit. A permit must be obtained prior to starting any work. Prohibited activities include cutting of trees (dead or alive), limbing/trimming of trees, building any structure, placing any chemical, placing any landscaping materials or yard ornaments, etc. A ranger can answer any questions you have regarding prohibited activities. Irregardless of the zoning, the public lands adjoining your property remain open for all members of the public to use in a non-consumptive manner.

Q. How much is a permit and how long does it last?

A. Shoreline Use permits are issued for a five year period. Dock permits carry a charge of $30.00 and Vegetation Modification permits carry a charge of $10.00. All permits are nontransferable.

Q. How is the government property line marked?

A. Most of the 315 mile boundary line on Lake Dardanelle has been surveyed and monumented. Survey monuments placed at ground level define the boundary line. The survey monuments are brass caps 3 ½ inches in diameter stamped to show the monument number, the year surveyed, and the agency, Little Rock District, Corps of Engineers, US Army. A 5-foot white, steel T-Post (witness post) is set about 6” to 12” from the survey monument on public property, as an aid to location. Normally the project boundary is a straight line between consecutive survey monuments. The elevations and distances between these survey monuments vary. As an additional aid to locate the line, some trees along the boundary line are marked with a 4-inch wide white band. These trees, however, are usually off the line on public property and only indicate that the line is nearby. Information is available at the Project Office to assist you in locating the boundary line.

Updated/Reviewed: 1 May 2009