Little Rock District > Missions > Recreation > Lakes > Table Rock Lake

The primary objective of the Corps of Engineers in the management of the Table Rock Lake shoreline is to insure the general public full recreational enjoyment and fish and wildlife benefits on public lands and waters, both now and for generations to come.

A Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) has been developed that is designed to ensure maximum benefit to the general public while preserving project resources.

The guidelines below have been compiled in an effort to provide general information about activities permitted on government-owned land around Table Rock Lake. They outline the procedures required to apply for permits or licenses for various activities or uses of government-owned lands. Complete rules and regulations governing public use of Corps of Engineers projects are contained in CFR (Code of Federal Regulations), Title 36, Chapter III, Part 327.

Shoreline Use Permits

General permits for boat mooring facilities and vegetation modification on government land

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Ownership of private land near the lake or adjoining government property does not convey any exclusive rights to use of the lake or adjoining public lands.

Required: An application must be made to the Project Office for a permit prior to construction of boat mooring facilities, alteration of government land, or modification of vegetation on the lakeshore.

Permit Authority

Shoreline use permits are issued and enforced in accordance with provisions of Title 36, Chapter III, CFR, Section 327.19. Non-compliance with the terms of the permit and the regulations will be grounds for revocation of the permit, and removal of the dock may be required.

Permit Fees

A fee will be charged for shoreline use permits to help defray expenses associated with issuance and administration of the permits.

Boat Dock: $30 Vegetation Management: $10

Important Terms: Both permits are valid for five years. All permits are nontransferable and non-refundable. Where applicable Real Estate Fees may be applied.

Private Floating Facilities (Boat Docks)

Permits for private boat docks and floating facilities on government property

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Authorization Required: All approved private activities or facilities are only authorized in writing from the Corps of Engineers.

Permit Type

The type of written authorization issued by the Corps of Engineers depends on the type of activity or facility. Shoreline Use Permits are issued for private floating facilities and are governed by the regulations in the Table Rock Lake Shoreline Management Plan.

Reference Materials

Please refer to the Shoreline Management Plan for guidance on permits for boat docks (pages 12-29).

Questions?
Contact the Table Rock Lake Project Office at: (417) 213-4794

Vegetation Modification

Permits for landscaping and vegetation changes on government shoreline property

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Authorization Required: All approved private activities or facilities are only authorized in writing from the Corps of Engineers.

Permit Coverage

The type of written authorization issued by the Corps of Engineers depends on the type of activity or facility. Shoreline Use Permits are issued for vegetation modification and are governed by the regulations in the Table Rock Lake Shoreline Management Plan.

Reference Materials

Please refer to the Shoreline Management Plan for guidance on permits for vegetation modification (pages 29-31).

Questions?
Contact the Table Rock Lake Project Office at: (417) 213-4794

Real Estate Instruments

Leases and licenses for commercial activities and major construction projects

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Definition

Real estate instruments refer to leases, licenses or other legal grants issued for commercial or individual activities, which are not covered under Shoreline Use Permits.

Covered Activities

These activities involve construction of structures, including, but not limited to:

Masonry walkways
Boat launch ramps and parking areas
Roads
Water lines and power lines

Application Process

Process: A written request must be submitted to the Project Office, who will make a recommendation to the district office. Each request for a license will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Assistance in preparing applications for real estate instruments is available at the Project Office.

Project Boundary Line

Survey markers and boundary identification for government property limits

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Survey Status

Most of the boundary line on Table Rock Lake has been surveyed and monumented. Survey monuments placed at ground level define the boundary line.

Survey Markers

Marker Description: The survey markers are brass caps 3½ 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 fence post is set about one foot from the survey marker
Normally the project boundary is a straight line between survey markers
The elevations and distances between these survey markers vary

Additional Markers

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 and only indicate that the line is nearby.

Need Help Locating the Boundary?
Information is available at the Project Office to assist you in locating the boundary line.

Flowage Easement

Flood control easements with building restrictions above elevation 936 MSL

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Easement Area

Flowage easements were acquired above the boundary line up to, as a general rule, elevation 936 MSL.

Government Rights

Easement Purpose: A flowage easement gives the government the perpetual right to overflow privately-owned land, if necessary, during flood control operation of the reservoir. The government also has the right to impose building restrictions on flowage easement.

Prohibited Activities

Specifically Prohibited in Flowage Easement Area:

Any changes to the land contours
Any structures for human habitation (permanent or temporary)
Waste disposal systems and attached decks (considered part of habitable structure)

Construction of any type on flowage easement requires prior approval of the Corps of Engineers.

Extent of Easements

There are over 875 Flowage Easement Tracts consisting of more than 3,000 Acres located on Table Rock Lake.

You can view a map in PDF format showing potential areas of flowage easement on Table Rock Lake.

Hunting Regulations

Hunting and trapping rules on government lands with tree stand restrictions

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General Permissions

Hunting and trapping are permitted on the waters and on the surrounding government-owned lands of the projects and are subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

Please refer to the Table Rock Lake Map for general locations of government owned lands. Officers of these same agencies will carry out enforcement.

Prohibited Areas

Hunting Prohibited: Hunting is prohibited in developed parks and other areas designated by the District Engineer and marked by the posting of appropriate signs.

For a more detailed map of permitted hunting near the Cow Creek area, please refer to the Hunting Map Near Cow Creek.

Tree Stand Regulations

Permanent Stands Prohibited: Permanent tree stands are prohibited on Corps of Engineers property. Permanent stands or steps are any type that penetrates the bark of a tree.

Portable stands with the owner's name and address permanently affixed are permitted
Stands are to be hung no earlier than one week before the opening
Must remain no longer than one week after the close of archery season

Safety Warning

Critical Safety Notice: The vast majority of bow hunting accidents occur from falling out of trees. Please always wear a safety belt when using tree stands.

Licensing Information

For more information on hunting safety, regulations, and licenses:

Missouri: Contact the Missouri Department of Conservation
Arkansas: Contact Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

Applications & Contact Information

How to apply for permits and contact the Project Office for assistance

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Phone Contact

Duty Ranger: (417) 213-4794

Should you have any questions concerning an application involving shoreline management, please contact the Duty Ranger.

Office Visit

You may also visit the Table Rock Lake Project Office, located just south of Table Rock Dam on Highway 165, Branson, Missouri.

Office Hours:
9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
(Closed 11:30am to 12:30pm for lunch)
Monday through Friday, except federal holidays

Our Commitment

Your interest and assistance in preserving the natural beauty and quality of the lake and shoreline will be appreciated both now and in the future.