How Do I Choose the Best Location for My Dock?

Docks are an important part of any waterfront property. You want them to be aesthetically pleasing, safe, functional, and easy to access from land and water. As you prepare to make good on your wishlist items, you must also think about the dock’s design and location. Depending on your property, you may be somewhat limited by environmental factors and the characteristics of your property’s shoreline.

Before deciding on the type of dock you want to install, you should think about the ideal location based on the opportunities and limitations of your property. Here are some things to keep in mind as you choose a location for your dock.

• Access – Think about your shoreline characteristics as well as land features near the waterfront. Does your property steeply descend to the lakefront, or is the land relatively flat and expansive? Consider the ways in which you will access the dock from land and water as you plot out a location for your dock.

• Recreation – In addition to access, think about the ways you intend to use your dock and shoreline. Will the dock primarily be for mooring your boat and watercraft, or do you plan to fish off the dock or make a splash by jumping off it? If your shoreline allows for other forms of recreation, you don’t want to locate the dock smack in the middle of your property and thus render the prime recreation area less useful.

• Shoreline characteristics – Your lakefront may also present limitations to where you can locate your dock and the type of dock you need to install. For example, does your shoreline experience high winds, fluctuating water levels or other environmental factors that could affect a dock’s location? How about the seafloor? Is it rocky, sandy or muddy, and how deep is the water?

Choosing the right location for your dock requires you to consider several variables based on the features of your property and how you intend to use the dock and lake. You’ll also want to keep in mind if there are any zoning or environmental regulations specific to your location before proceeding with a dock installation.

If you have questions about custom dock design and installation, contact us at RDS Dock Hardware. We’ve been designing long-lasting dock systems in the U.S. since 1986 and can help you get started with yours today.