Transferring A Boat Dock On Greers Ferry Lake: A Step-By-Step Guide

Greers Ferry Lake in Arkansas is a popular destination for outdoor activities, including fishing and boating. The lake features several marinas, campgrounds, and boat ramps. Private boat dock owners are responsible for monitoring water levels and maintaining their docks to ensure safety and avoid grounding. The Army Corps of Engineers enforces regulations and permits for boat docks, and it is important for owners to be aware of these requirements to avoid citations or permit issues. The process for transferring a boat dock permit on Greers Ferry Lake may involve specific steps and requirements that should be explored further through official channels or local resources.

The importance of monitoring water levels to avoid grounding

Grounding your boat is something that happens to even the most experienced sailors. It can be extremely dangerous and cause big holes in your boat's hull, leading to water intake and potential injury to your crew. While soft groundings are usually minor inconveniences, hard groundings can be catastrophic. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor water levels to avoid grounding, especially when docking your boat at Greers Ferry Lake. Here are some reasons why monitoring water levels is essential:

Safety:

The most important reason to monitor water levels is to ensure the safety of yourself, your crew, and your boat. A hard grounding can cause significant damage to your boat, and the impact can throw crew members overboard, turning equipment into dangerous projectiles. By monitoring water levels and staying alert, you can avoid shallow patches, channels, and submerged rocks that could lead to grounding.

Compliance with Regulations:

At Greers Ferry Lake, the Army Corps of Engineers requires private dock owners to continually monitor water levels as the lake levels recede. This is to ensure the safety and proper maintenance of docks. Failure to do so could result in citations and even the loss of your boat dock permit. Therefore, monitoring water levels is not just a safety precaution but also a legal requirement.

Avoiding Costly Repairs:

Grounding can cause extensive damage to your boat, leading to costly repairs or even the total loss of your vessel. By monitoring water levels and navigating away from shallow areas, you can avoid the financial burden of repairs or replacement. This is especially important for boat owners at Greers Ferry Lake, as commercial towing and salvage operations can be expensive.

Peace of Mind:

By staying vigilant and monitoring water levels, you can enjoy your time on the water with greater peace of mind. Knowing the depth of the water around you and navigating accordingly will reduce the likelihood of grounding and allow you to focus on other aspects of boating, such as navigation and crew management.

Preserving the Environment:

In some cases, grounding can damage sensitive ecosystems, such as coral reefs or seagrass beds. By monitoring water levels and avoiding shallow areas, you can help protect the environment and avoid causing harm to these valuable and fragile ecosystems. This is crucial for responsible boating, especially in ecologically sensitive areas.

In conclusion, monitoring water levels is of utmost importance to avoid grounding your boat. By staying alert, complying with regulations, and navigating with caution, you can ensure the safety of your crew and vessel, avoid costly repairs, and protect the environment. So take the time to check water levels, stay informed, and adjust your course as needed to prevent grounding, especially when docking at Greers Ferry Lake.

Applying for a boat dock permit

To apply for a boat dock permit for Greers Ferry Lake, you must first ensure that your property is zoned for "limited development". This is one of four categories of shoreline use at Greers Ferry Lake, which are established and maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. The other three categories are public recreation, protected shoreline, and prohibited access.

Once you have confirmed that your property is zoned for "limited development", you can then apply for a boat dock permit. The process for applying for a permit involves submitting a written request to the Operations Manager at Greers Ferry Lake. The request should include a description of the proposed boat dock, including its size, location, and intended use.

It is important to note that boat dock permits are conditional upon the proper care and maintenance of the docks to ensure safety at all times. The Corps rangers patrol the lake to identify boat docks that are not in compliance. A grounded or poorly maintained boat dock could result in a citation for the owner(s) and could potentially jeopardize the permit altogether.

In addition to obtaining a permit, private dock owners on Greers Ferry Lake are responsible for continually monitoring water levels and adjusting their docks as needed to avoid grounding. This is especially important as lake levels recede.

For more information about applying for a boat dock permit and the use of government property at Greers Ferry Lake, you can contact the Greers Ferry Project Office at (501) 362-2416 or visit their office located near the dam on Highway 25, three miles north of Heber Springs. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm.

Marinas and their amenities

Greers Ferry Lake in Arkansas offers five marinas situated around the lake, with campgrounds and parks available, making it perfect for fishing trips or just getting away from it all. The area draws in many visitors each year due to its beauty and abundant outdoor activities.

Fairfield Bay Marina

Fairfield Bay Marina is a family-friendly destination open all year round. The marina features shaded campsites, over 70 boat docks, and a fully stocked store. It offers amenities such as swimming pools, an 18-hole miniature golf course, and a championship-rated golf course. Each site has full hookups with 30- or 50-amp electric service, water, and sewers, and there is also a dump station. The marina provides boat rentals, including jet skis, pontoon boats, fishing kayaks, and wave runners. Guided fishing trips are also available on weekends for a fee. Attractions include a full-service restaurant and bar with live music on weekends, and shopping at the marina store or nearby stores in Heber Springs. Fairfield Bay Marina is located in Fairfield Bay, AR, and is open from 7 am to 10 pm.

Lacey's Narrows Marina

Lacey's Narrows Marina offers slips for boats of any size and has a boat ramp with trailer parking. While the marina does not have its own store, there are several nearby that offer supplies. Over 95% of the shoreline at this marina is undeveloped, making it ideal for nature lovers. It offers boat rentals, including luxury houseboats, tritoons, and Yamaha waverunners. Lacey's Narrows Marina is located at 7674 Edgemont Rd, Greers Ferry, AR 72067, USA.

Peters Sugar Loaf Marina

Peters Sugar Loaf Marina is a family-owned and operated marina on Greers Ferry Lake. They have over 200 slips for boats, a 4000-square-foot store, and an auto repair shop. They offer new boats for sale and provide mechanic services. All docks are modern and new, with secured gates and illuminated throughout the year. They provide cheap gas prices, 24-hour docks, and accept Mastercard and Visa payments. The marina is situated within Sugar Loaf Park, which offers camp campsites, bathrooms, showers, and garbage disposal facilities. Sugar Loaf Mountain provides a stunning backdrop for the park's boat launches and swimming areas. The marina is located on State Highway 330, Clinton, AR 72031, USA.

Shiloh Marina LLC

Shiloh Marina is located on the picturesque Greers Ferry Lake in North Central Arkansas. They offer pontoon boat rentals for overnight and daytime use, as well as annual slip rentals. They also provide gasoline, batteries, oil, water sports equipment, clothing, food, and drinks. Shiloh Marina is located in the town of Greers Ferry.

Furgerson's Choctaw Marina

Furgerson's Choctaw Marina is a family-owned and operated business on Greers Ferry Lake. They offer over 300 slips for rentals, a brand-new store, electrical power on every dock, a snack bar, jet skis, soft-serve ice cream, and new rental boats. They provide 24/7 access and have the lowest ethanol-free gasoline on the lake. Furgerson's Choctaw Marina is committed to environmental protection and has provided restrooms for public use at the lake. The marina is located at 3850 State Hwy 330, Clinton, AR 72031, USA.

Eden Isle Marina Inc.

Eden Isle Marina is located on the 340-mile shoreline of Greers Ferry Lake, just west of Heber Springs, Arkansas. They offer pontoon boat rentals, as well as wakeboard, tube, and ski rentals. They also have a range of used boats for sale. Their 24-hour fuel pumps offer ice, sunblock, snacks, cold drinks, beach clothes, and more. Eden Isle Marina accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express credit cards. They also offer a variety of marine-related products, such as batteries, ropes, fenders, spark plugs, and anchor chains. Eden Isle Marina is located in North Central Arkansas.

The role of the Army Corps of Engineers

The Army Corps of Engineers plays a crucial role in managing the shoreline and docks at Greers Ferry Lake in Arkansas. The Corps is responsible for establishing and maintaining shoreline management programs at the lake by periodically implementing Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs). These plans involve zoning the shoreline for different categories of use, including limited development, public recreation, protected shoreline, and prohibited access.

The Corps' role in dock management at Greers Ferry Lake is particularly noteworthy. Private dock owners are required to monitor water levels and maintain their docks to ensure safety and avoid grounding as the lake levels recede. The Corps rangers patrol the lake to identify non-compliant docks, and improper maintenance can result in citations and the potential loss of permits.

The process of obtaining a boat dock permit involves having property zoned for "limited development" and then applying for and receiving the permit. The Corps' SMPs are developed through a comprehensive process that includes public input, workshops, and environmental impact studies. The Corps evaluates rezoning requests, considers public comments, and drafts alternative plans to balance environmental preservation and recreational needs.

In the case of "Save Greers Ferry Lake, Inc. v. US Army Corps of Engineers," the Corps' implementation of an SMP in 2000 was challenged. The court found that the Corps had violated the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) by adopting the plan without conducting the necessary environmental studies. This case highlights the importance of the Corps' role in ensuring that any changes to the shoreline and dock management at Greers Ferry Lake consider the potential environmental impacts.

Regulations and penalties for non-compliance

To transfer a boat dock on Greers Ferry Lake, one must comply with a range of regulations to ensure safety and legal compliance. The following paragraphs outline the key regulations and the consequences of non-compliance:

Boating License Requirement

To operate a boat legally on Greers Ferry Lake, individuals of certain age groups must possess a Boater Education Card, which is mandated by Arkansas regulations. Obtaining this card requires completing boating education courses covering navigation rules, safety regulations, and emergency procedures. Non-compliance with this regulation may result in penalties and legal consequences.

Life Jacket Regulations

Life jacket regulations at Greers Ferry Lake are crucial for ensuring the safety of all boaters. All individuals on board a vessel must have a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket, and children under 12 years old must wear one at all times. Participants in water sports such as skiing, wakeboarding, and tubing are also required to wear life jackets. Non-compliance with these regulations can lead to penalties and endanger the safety of individuals.

Alcohol Prohibition on Boats

The consumption of alcohol while operating a boat on Greers Ferry Lake is strictly prohibited by Arkansas law. The Army Corps of Engineers enforces this regulation to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of all boaters. Non-compliance can result in legal consequences and penalties.

Speed Limits on the Lake

The speed limit on Greers Ferry Lake is strictly enforced by the Corps of Engineers patrols, with a limit of 50 miles per hour during the day and 30 miles per hour at night. Adherence to these speed limits is essential to maintain safety, prevent accidents, protect the natural environment, and preserve harmony on the lake. Non-compliance may lead to penalties, citations, or even impoundment of boats.

Restricted Boating Zones

Boats are prohibited from entering certain areas, such as the buoyed line of Greers Ferry Dam, to ensure the safety of boaters and the public. These restricted zones are clearly marked, and unauthorized entry is taken very seriously. Non-compliance can result in penalties and enforcement actions, as it endangers individuals and disrupts the boating experience for others.

Law Enforcement Presence

Law enforcement personnel actively patrol Greers Ferry Lake to enforce boating regulations and ensure compliance. They closely monitor boating activities, and non-compliant boats may be impounded. Individuals engaging in unauthorized activities or violating regulations may face legal consequences imposed by the Corps. Boaters are expected to report any unauthorized activities or violations to the Corps for immediate action.

In summary, transferring a boat dock on Greers Ferry Lake requires strict adherence to safety and legal regulations. Non-compliance with these regulations can result in penalties, citations, fines, and even impoundment of boats. Boaters must prioritize compliance to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all on the lake.

Frequently asked questions