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 tarting this month, residents may begin seeing LCRA staff members traveling the Highland Lakes as part of a count of over-water residential dock structures.
The count on lakes Buchanan, Inks, LBJ, Marble Falls and Travis will last through March. The information will provide a better picture of the dock structures on each lake, help determine dock-use trends and assist LCRA in improving safety. A similar dock count conducted in 2001 showed approximately 6,000 residential structures on the Highland Lakes.  |  | TOP: An unencased dock with a styrofoam foam flotation.
BOTTOM: A dock with an encased flotation is less susceptible to deterioration from wind and wave action, and other potential hazards. | Upgrading dock structues
LCRA employees also will be placing informational packets on docks that are using non-encased flotation or metal barrel flotation. These packets provide details on the mandatory regulation and timeline for replacing these types of docks, which may be safety hazards. The Safety Standards for Residential Docks on the Highland Lakes were adopted by LCRA's Board in February 2004 after a two-and-a-half-year public input process. These standards require dock owners to replace metal barrels by Feb. 18, 2007, and non-encased flotation by Feb. 18, 2014. Most types of non-encased flotation consist of “beaded foam.” These have a lower lifespan than encased flotation and are susceptible to deterioration from wind and wave action, animal burrowing and petroleum products. Once exposed, docks with non-encased flotation may deteriorate quickly; this can result in toppling, submersion and increased stress on the structure it is supporting. Most of the residential docks on the Highland Lakes are already in compliance with the safety standards. Be sure you review the standards. If you have questions about the regulations or the upcoming dock count, I'll be happy to answer them. Contact me at 1-800-776-5272, Ext. 2405, or send an e-mail to lakewatch@lcra.org. Rountree is LCRA's Lake Watch program coordinator. |
Read more about the Lake Watch program
