Notice to Seaplane Pilots
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District
Prohibitions and Restrictions Governing the Use of Seaplanes
Policy
In accordance with Title 36, Chapter III, Part 328 of the Code of Federal Regulations, it is the objective of the Corps of Engineers natural resources management mission to maximize public enjoyment and use of Corps lakes, consistent with their aesthetic and biological values. Within that context, the following restrictions governing the use of seaplanes have been developed.
District-wide Prohibitions and Restrictions1. Pilots are responsible for knowing the rules and regulations pertaining to aircraft as set forth in Title 36, Chapter III, Part 327.4 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Copies are available from any Corps of Engineers Project Office.
2. Seaplanes may not be operated between sunset and sunrise. Where not specifically restricted or prohibited, recreational seaplane operations are allowed seven days a week.
3. Aircraft larger than 5,000 pounds gross weight are prohibited from landing without special permission from the District Engineer.
4. Commercial seaplane operations are prohibited unless authorized by the District Engineer. Commercial operations, if authorized, will be limited to the hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, from November 1 to April 1.
5. Individual letter permits may be issued for seaplanes to operate in prohibited areas on a one-time-only basis.
6. The operation of a seaplane at Corps of Engineers lakes is at the risk of the plane's owner, operator and passenger(s). All lakes in the Fort Worth District are operated as flood control reservoirs resulting in widely fluctuating pool elevations. Pilots are encouraged to contact each lake project office for current pool elevation information. Addresses and phone numbers of each lake are listed in the attached Visitors Guide. Information may also be obtained from the Corps of Engineering web site at www.swf.usace.army.mil
7. Where landings and takeoffs are not totally prohibited at a given lake, a minimum distance of 500 feet from shore or structures must be maintained during landings and takeoffs.
8. The attached information lists specific restrictions and prohibitions for each lake in the Fort Worth District.
Seaplane
Operations are Prohibited
|
Specific Restrictions on Seaplane Operation |
Aquilla Lake Seaplane operations are prohibited in all areas except the "open water" area of the lake from the dam northeast to the mouth of the Hackberry Creek Branch and from the dam northwest to an East-West line extending from the north bank of the Old School branch. |
Cooper Lake Landings and takeoffs prohibited in the uncleared portion of the lake west of a line running from the west end of South Sulphur State Park to the peninsula at the mouth of Doctors Creek, and in the cove formed by Doctors Creek. |
Bardwell Lake Landings and takeoffs prohibited north of Highway 34 and in all coves off the main body of the lake. |
Granger Lake Landings and takeoffs prohibited in both major arms of the lake formed by Willis Creek and the San Gabriel River, and in the large, shallow lake area north of a line from the outlet structure to the east tip of the San Gabriel Wildlife Area. |
Belton Lake Landings and takeoffs prohibited north of Highway 36, in coves formed by Owl Creek and Cedar Creek, and in the arm of the lake formed by Cowhouse Creek upstream from the northwest end of the Fort Hood Recreation Area. |
Joe Pool Lake Landings and takeoffs prohibited in all the lake areas west of the Lakeridge Parkway bridges. |
Benbrook Lake Landings and takeoffs prohibited in lake area south of abandoned pump station on east shore and in coves formed by Ease and West Dutch Branch Creeks. |
Lake O' The Pines Landings and takeoffs prohibited in all coves and bays off main body of lake and in uncleared and shallow areas of lake. |
Canyon Lake Landings and takeoffs prohibited upstream from Cranes Mill Park and in all coves and major bay areas off main body of lake. (Including the large lake area east and west of Canyon Park) |
Lavon Lake Landings and takeoffs prohibited in lake areas north of Collin Park, north of Tickey Creek Park, and in all coves and bays off main body of lake. |
Lewisville Lake Landings and takeoffs prohibited in uncleared areas north of Crescent Oaks Park, the entire area west of I.H. 35 and north of Highway 720, and in large uncleared portions of the entire eastern half of the lake. |
Somerville Lake Landings and takeoffs prohibited west of the west end of the Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park, and in all coves and bays off the main body of the lake. |
Navarro Mills Lake Landings and takeoffs prohibited west of Wolf Creek Park I. |
Stillhouse Hollow Lake Landings and takeoffs prohibited west and south of Cedar Knob Road, and in large shallow areas surrounding unnamed islands in the main body of the lake. |
Proctor Lake Landings and takeoffs prohibited in all areas north and west of the eastern tip of Promontory Park and all areas west of the southwest tip of Promontory Park. |
Whitney Lake Seaplane operations are prohibited in areas downstream from a line drawn from the northern tip of Walling Bend Park to the mouth of Frazier Creek and upstream from a line drawn from the mouth of Cedar Creek southwest to the opposite undeveloped shoreline. The coves formed by King Creek and Cedron Creek are also prohibited. |
Ray Roberts Lake Landings and take offs prohibited north of Highway 3002, and in areas north and east of a line from the northeast tip of Johnson Park to the southwest tip of Jordan Park. |
Wright Patman Lake Landings and takeoffs prohibited in all coves and bays off main body of lake and in uncleared and shallow areas of the lake. |
Sam Rayburn Reservoir Landings and takeoffs prohibited west of Highway 147, north of Highway 83, and in scattered, uncleared areas of the reservoir. |
Note: The latest revision to this Notice to Seaplane Pilots was completed in March of 2000.