Living at the Lake

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages Table Rock Lake and controls activities along the shoreline. In fact, only 12% of the total shoreline (of approximately 840 miles of shoreline) can ever been developed, making Table Rock Lake one of the most pristine lakes in the country.

As a property owner, you don’t own land to the water’s edge at normal pool. The government owns a strip of land all around the lake, often referred to as the government “take line.” The Corps of Engineers has restrictions in place on what can be done to that land, including restrictions on clearing, mowing, building, driving, parking and dock zoning. Be sure to check with the Corps before you purchase raw land in particular to see what is allowed, and check with your county on building permit requirements.

The Corps also manages where docks can be placed on the lake, and the issuance of dock and boat slip permits. If your land isn’t zoned for a dock, you won’t get one. If your neighborhood has what is typically called a “community” dock, you don’t automatically get a boat slip but can purchase one if available. Or, you can rent a slip in a public marina to keep your boat. You cannot rent out private boat slips.