Q: Can I build a dock on Lake Lewisville?

A: I am often asked this question. The answer is no. Lake Lewisville is an Army Corps of Engineers lake. The Army Corps actually owns the lakefront land and they do not permit any structures to be built on their land. There are a handful of boat docks on the lake that were permitted in the 1960's and 1970's. These properties occasionally come available but as you can imagine, are usually pretty expensive. Most people on Lake Lewisville keep their boats in their garage, in storage or at one of the marinas. There are numerous public boat ramps on the lake so getting in the water isn't difficult. Still, if a boatdock or boathouse is a must for you, then Lake Lewisville isn't your lake.

Still, there are a number of benefits to living on Lake Lewisville. In addition to the great location and easy access to both Dallas and DFW airport, owning adjacent to the Army Corps land means you can enjoy the lakefront land behind your home knowing it will never be built on. This land is public use land and so you are free to enjoy the land leading into the lake without paying taxes on that additional land. It also means that when looking at the size of a lakefront lot, it will always feel larger than it is because of the additional Army Corps land. The look of that land is different in different parts of the lake. Sometimes there is some sort of fencing, sometimes not. Sometimes there is a retaining wall and again, sometimes not. You also don't have to worry about flood insurance like you do on some lakes, because the Army Corps will not permit you to build an inhabitable structure within the 537 ' line, which is the level of the 100 year flood plain. Sometimes the 537' will be on the Army Corps property, sometimes it is on your property, so it is important to look at the survey when purchasing lakefront property... especially if it is vacant land!