No Tennessee lakefront home is complete without a great dock! A dock is a very versatile and valuable addition to a lakefront property. Having a private dock offers a number of advantages to homeowners. Some benefits of owning your own private dock include:
- Convenient access to the water
- No storage or slip fees
- Added security for your watercraft
- Personalized construction and design
- Increased property value
- Additional usage for other leisure activities like swimming, fishing, kayaking, socializing with friends, and relaxing.
Whether you’re building a brand new lake dock or you’re restoring an existing one, here are some important things to keep in mind.
Understanding the two main types of dock:
Stationary docks are considered permanent structures and are also known as piling docks/fixed docks. These docks are built on wood or concrete piles that are sunk into the lake bed. Stationary docks are very stable and strong, making them solid option.
Floating docks float on the surface of the lake and are anchored to your shoreline and the lake bottom and supported by pontoons or flotation units. It may be the most versatile type of dock, because it’s easy to buy, install and configure, and it will rise and fall with the lake level making them a bit more versatile than stationary docks. These docks raise and fall with the lake’s water level, which eliminates the problem of a big drop between the water and dock deck during the dry season. Floating docks are semi-permanent and may be taken out of the water for storage.
Building a dock should begin with careful planning on the perfect design to compliment your lake house and fitting your needs. Equally important is getting the proper permitting.
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) must be able to ensure that your project is in alignment with integrated management to protect the shoreline of the Tennessee River watershed by obtaining a Section 26a permit. Whether your building a new dock or repairing an existing one, you still need to apply to TVA for approval to make any changes to the permitted facilities or shoreline alterations. And if you just bought, the property, you need to apply to TVA to obtain a permit in your name.
Inspect water depth and lake bed
If you decide to go with a stationary dock, you’ll need to inspect the lake bed, as well as determine water depths. The ideal lake bed for building a dock would be fairly flat and sandy. A rocky lake bed or one that has a big drop in depth from the shoreline to where the end of the dock will be can be problematic. Lake water levels will naturally and artificially raise and lower. If the water depth difference is minimal, a stationary deck will work fine. If the lake bed isn’t ideal and the water depth of your lake isn’t reliable, a floating dock might be the better option.
Building a DIY dock vs hiring a professional
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Homeowners that already have some handyman skills may be able to build their own dock if it’s a smaller floating dock. However, building a dock isn’t an easy process, especially if you don’t have experience with waterfront structures. More often than not, the best route is to hire a professional. Although it may cost you a bit more upfront, you’ll have the peace of mind knowing that your dock is secure and properly built.
A lake dock can be as simple or as ornate as you desire, but a common factor of any successful design is solid construction using long-lasting, durable materials. Consider a consultation with a local marine contractor and don’t be afraid to speak with your East Tennessee neighbors to learn what dock designs have worked best for them on your lake.
Posted by Mike Hogan, Lakefront Living, On The Lake Realty