Rule 391-5-12-.04. Standards for Design and Construction
All new docks must be constructed in accordance with the Department's standard design criteria.
Plans are available at the High Falls State Park office. Any changes to the existing design must
receive written approval from the PRHS Central office who will incorporate those changes in to
the new plans and provide them to High Falls.
(a) Dock design shall contain detailed plans as to include width, length, and layout of the dock.
Floating docks supported by encapsulated flotation units will be permissible. Individual plans
need to be submitted with the application. All docks must be structurally sound.
(b) The maximum length of the dock shall be that which is necessary to reach two feet of water
depth, not to exceed a total of 25 feet from the high water mark not exceed a total of 25
feet from the high water mark. Exceptions Dock length extensions beyond 25 feet will only
be considered on a case by case basis if they meet the following criteria:
Extension Criteria
• At the maximum length of 25 feet, the center end of dock would not reach 2.5 feet
of water at full pool.
• If granted the extension, the dock would not block navigation
• The proposed dock must maintain at least 30 feet distance from existing docks and
future parcel dock locations based on projections to reach 2.5 feet of water at full
pool.
• The dock must not pose any safety threat concerns for to boaters, lake habitat, or
recreational users.
Incremental extensions of 3 feet at a time may be granted by the Director for docks of
lengths greater than 25 feet which meet the above criteria. These incremental extensions
will be determined by the length it takes the center-end of a dock to reach 2.5 feet of water
at full-pool.
Procedure for Granting Extension:
Resident must complete a Dock Application Form. If they request a dock extension, the
resident must write a short justification for why they believe the property warrants a dock
extension.
1. Park staff must conduct a site visit. During the visit, park staff must confirm if the
site meets the extension criteria set above.
2. If dock meets extension criteria, staff must determine how many incremental
extensions of 3 feet will be necessary for the dock to reach 2.5 feet of water.
3. Staff should include findings in a report that is submitted with the resident’s dock
permit application to the State for review.
4. State reviews application and report and makes final decision.
(c) All docks must have a minimum of thirty feet distance between docks of two adjoining
parcels. Exceptions must be approved by the Director or designee.
(d) Electrical outlets will be permitted in accordance with local county codes.
(e) Bulkheads may be extended up to three feet on one side of the dock and up to 10 feet on
the other side of the dock for the purpose of securing the dock to the property. Rip-rap shall
be required on all new bulkheads as per specifications. Bulkheads shall be constructed
according to current bulkhead specifications, which can be obtained at High Falls State Park
office.
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(f) Lakefront property owners or lessees with written permission of the landowner may request
the use of rip-rap to control erosion into the lake. The department will accept requests and
review them on a case by-case-basis. The department will approve a request only where
obvious erosion issues exist that threatens the water quality of the lake. Construction
specifications may be obtained at the park office.
(g) Once approval for the dock is received, Lakefront property owners or lessees have 90 days
to complete the construction. Permit will be revoked if not completed within the 90-day time
limit. The Director of Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites Division or designee may grant
one 30-day extension. Permit will be revoked and any partial work removed at the owner's
expense if not completed within timeframe.
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