Shoreline Management

The North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) owns all land along the Bois d’Arc Lake shoreline below the 541’ mean sea level (MSL) elevation as well as some additional areas adjacent to the shoreline.

Access and use of NTMWD-owned shoreline requires written approval from NTMWD. Private property owners next to the lake may request permission to access the property to build amenities like docks, remove trees and vegetation, improve the land or use it for certain activities through our permitting process (which may require a fee). If their request is approved, these owners will receive a Shoreline Lease Agreement. The Bois d’Arc Lake Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) provides guidelines for obtaining these agreements and approved shoreline uses and improvements (see below).

What is the Shoreline Management Plan?

The Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) balances drinking water supply needs with safe recreational uses and sustainability. The SMP guides use of the shoreline up to the 541-foot elevation, which is property owned by NTMWD that includes the 100-year flood level. The SMP also regulates uses of NTMWD property along the shoreline by current and future private property owners.

NTMWD developed the plan by drawing on a technical analysis of the lake and its shoreline, local zoning laws, the Fannin County’s Comprehensive Plan for Lower Bois d’Arc Creek Reservoir and input from stakeholders considered during that plan’s development.

The Shoreline Management Plan:

  • Offers a shared vision for the lake and its proper use
  • Creates shoreline classifications to help balance different factors affecting the lake and shoreline
  • Provides direction for local property owners on approved uses of the shoreline
  • Promotes appropriate and safe recreational uses of the lake
Bois d'Arc Lake Shoreline Management Plan

Shoreline Classifications

Bois d’Arc Lake’s shoreline falls into five different classifications:

  1. Restricted
  2. Environmentally Sensitive
  3. Limited Development
  4. Dock Capable
  5. Public Access/Commercial Development

See the Shoreline Management Plan for more on what is allowed in each area and the official shoreline classification map.

Activities allowed on a particular shoreline will be determined based on these classifications as well as the unique characteristics of the site. Activities that may be authorized include boat docks, fishing piers and placement of recreational facilities on land adjacent to the shoreline, such as picnic tables, patios, BBQ pits and more.

These shoreline classifications do not guarantee an activity will be approved, and on-site conditions must be verified through a site visit as part of the shoreline use approval process. Shorelines may be reclassified based on the characteristics found during these site visits.

Please note – Fannin County has planning and zoning authority around Bois d’Arc Lake and landowners may also need to obtain authorization from Fannin County for certain improvements on their property. More information on Fannin County planning and zoning ordinances can be found on their website.

Obtaining a Shoreline Lease & Use Agreement

Private property owners with land adjacent to Bois d’Arc Lake’s shoreline can request permission to build authorized structures including boat docks or use the shoreline through the process outlined below.

Please apply and pay online for a Shoreline Lease and Use Agreement. Follow these instructions on how to setup an account in MGO. Note: All payments are final and will not be refunded.

We maintain a list of registered contractors who have met the minimum requirements to work on NTMWD property. Landowners may use any contractor of their choice as long as the contractor meets NTMWD minimum requirements and is registered with NTMWD. Contractors who wish to register with NTMWD and be added to the registered contractor list can apply at MGO Connect.

General Steps to Obtain a Shoreline Lease & Use Agreement

  1. Click the link above to MGO connect and follow the instructions to submit an Initial Inquiry or with general questions the applicant may contact the Bois d’Arc Lake Operations Center at (469) 626-4765.
  2. NTMWD reviews available information to determine whether the proposed location is suitable for the activity or structure. Plans for dock construction must conform to criteria in the SMP, including require¬ments for size, spacing, location and more.
  3. A NTMWD representative from the Bois d’Arc Lake Operations Center will contact the applicant via email to schedule a site visit to evaluate the on-site location.
  4. After the site visit, the applicant must conduct a boundary survey marking, complete and submit an online application for a Shoreline Lease and Use Agreement and pay the associated one-time or yearly fixed fee. Fees are listed by types of agreement in the full SMP.
  5. NTMWD sends the Shoreline Lease and Use Agreement with conditions for the applicant. After the agreement is fully executed, construction may begin.
  6. A Certificate of Compliance will be issued after the approval of the post-construction inspection. NTMWD will also issue two permit tags with the expiration date to be displayed on the water and shore side of the dock or other structure.
  7. NTMWD conducts periodic inspections throughout the agreement term.
Apply and Pay Online

Partnering with Fannin County

The District’s Shoreline Management Plan was developed through a cooperative process between NTMWD and Fannin County.

  • In 2011, with the support of NTMWD and Fannin County, the state amended the Texas Local Government Code to grant Fannin County the authority to zone the area within 5,000 feet of the future lake’s shoreline.
  • In October 2016, the Fannin County Commissioners Court approved the County’s Comprehensive Plan for Bois d’Arc Lake. This comprehensive plan, which included a robust public process, established a vision for how the land around Bois d’Arc Lake’s shoreline should develop.
  • In October 2018, Fannin County officials approved the lake’s zoning regulations.

 

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