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Government Owned Land

Government Owned land is land which is owned in fee by the U.S. Government and consists of both the land inundated by Lewisville Lake at the pool elevation of 522 feet and a substantial amount of land above the 522 elevation. The U.S Boundary Line, the corners of which are marked with concrete markers, defines the limits of this public land. The boundary markers are generally topped with a brass cap, which is usually about 4 inches above ground level. Fencing in many areas around the lake also indicates the boundary line. As a general rule, land around Lewisville Lake at an elevation of or below 535 feet is owned in fee by the U.S. Government.

Municipalities, private corporations, adjacent landowners and others governmental and private interests may request easements, licenses, and leases on fee lands. Examples of this would be waterline licenses, road and sewer easements, and leases for marinas and other recreational facilities. The lake office can assist interested parties in submitting requests for using fee lands.

Waterlines

Electric Lines

Gates

Misuses of Public Lands

Waterlines

  • A permit to withdraw water must be obtained from the Dallas Water Utilities.  A copy  of this permit must be submitted, along with the completed Application , to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Elm Fork Project Office, 1801 N. Mill St., Lewisville, TX 75057.

  • All electrical installations must comply with the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC), the National Electrical Code (NEC) and ER 1101-2-4401, clearance for power and communication lines over reservoirs.

  • Jet pump installations may be used if the pump and motor assembly are placed on private property.  Suction lines placed in the lake must be buried.

  • Water intake velocity may not exceed .5 feet per second to protect small fish in the area.  A larger intake foot or screen may be used to decrease the velocity.

  • Project personnel must personally inspect proposed installation site to determine potential damage to vegetation, tree roots or obvious archeological resources, this includes during construction and a post inspection to ensure compliance of the issued permit license.

  • A durable metal tag, with name and address, must be attached to any exposed waterline, making it possible to identify the owner when inspecting waterlines by boat.Generally, the tag will be attached to the waterline about 3 ft. above conservation pool.

  • The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers has acquired a flowage easement on land, which lies, at and below the 537.0’ elevation contour on Lewisville and at and below the 572.0' elevation contour on Grapevine.  Written permission must be granted by the Corps of Engineers to place a structure, or to perform any work performed within the flowage easement.

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Electric Lines

  • All electrical installations must comply with the NESC, the NEC, and ER 1101-2-4401;  Clearance for Power and Communication Lines Over Reservoirs.

  • Permission must be granted by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers to construct under or on land that is flowage easement.   The 537.0 elevation contour is the upper extent of flowage easement on Lewisville Lake and 572.0 is, in most cases, the upper extend on Grapevine Lake.

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Gates

As a means of entry to government property, adjacent landowners may add a gate to the Corps’ boundary line fencing.  Landowners may, with written permission, install a gate in fences constructed of steel pipe, post-and-cable, or other materials in accordance with the following requirements:

    a)      Gate may be up to 54 inches in width.

    b)     Gate may be constructed of wood or metal materials and must not weaken the structural integrity of the Government fence or cable.

    c)      Installation of gates will be at the expense of the adjacent landowner.

    d)      Gates must remain closed and locked when not in actual use.

    e)      Only one gate will be allowed per adjacent landowner.

    Permit Conditions

    1.      The Government shall in no case be liable for any damage or injury to the permitted facility which may be caused by or result from subsequent operations undertaken by the Government for the improvement of navigation or for other lawful purposes, and no claims or right to compensation shall occur from any such damage.  This includes any damage that may occur to private property if a facility is removed for noncompliance with the conditions of the permit.

    2.      Ownership, construction, operation, use and maintenance of a permitted facility and/or activity are subject to all applicable Federal, state and local laws and regulations.  Failure to abide by these applicable laws and regulations may be cause for revocation of the permit.

    3.      The permittee shall remove a permitted facility within 30 days, at his/her expense, and restore the waterway and lands to a condition accepted by the resource manager upon termination or revocation of this permit or if the permittee ceases to use, operate or maintain a permitted facility and /or activity.  If  the permittee fails to comply to the satisfaction of the resource manager, the district commander may remove the facility by contract or otherwise and the permittee agrees to pay all costs incurred thereof.

    4.      Permitted facilities and activities are subject to periodic inspection by authorized Corps representatives.  The resource manager will notify the permittee of any deficiencies and together establish a schedule for their correction.  No deviation or changes from approved plans will be allowed without prior written approval of the Resource Manager.

    5.      No vegetation other than that permitted in the permit will be damaged, destroyed or removed. No vegetation of any kind will be planted, other than that specifically prescribed in the permit.

    6.      The resource manager or his/her authorized representative shall be allowed to cross the permittee's property, as necessary, to inspect facilities and/or activities under permit.

    7.      Temporary structures or items (i.e. tables, chairs, volleyball nets, etc.) may be placed on government property for NO LONGER than 24 hours.  After a period of 24 hours, unattended property shall be presumed abandoned and may be impounded.

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    Misuses of public land

    • More information can be found online at Code of Federal Regulations Title 36 .

    • Use public lands for any type of private exclusive use or use that give the appearance of such.

    • Place unattended personal property of any kind on public land.

    • Moor a boat or any other floating devices.

    • Construct buildings, roads, improved pathways, or any other facilities on public land.

    • Restrict public access to public land either verbally, by posting signs, or by any other method.

    • Operate vehicles on public land, except on paved roads and in authorized access points.

    • Launch or retrieve boats with motorized vehicles except at public boat ramps. (You may hand carry small boats to launch or retrieve them from all but restricted areas of the shoreline.)

    • Camp on public land, except in designated areas.

    • Dispose of household garbage or any other debris on public land.

    • Have fires on public land, except in authorized receptacles.

    • Gather fallen timber for firewood, except in park areas for authorized use.

    • Allow horses, cattle, or other livestock on public land, except by lease from the Government or as otherwise permitted.

    • Destroy, alter, or remove any facility, vegetation, or natural feature.

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