Does the strip of land between your fence and Lewisville Lake actually belong to you? If you live along the shoreline in Little Elm, that area is often owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the rules can feel confusing. You want to enjoy the water, protect your property, and avoid costly mistakes. This guide explains what USACE land means for you, what you can and cannot do, how to locate the true boundary, and how to request permissions when needed. Let’s dive in.

USACE land around Lewisville Lake

USACE fee-owned land means the Corps holds the title to a defined band of ground around the reservoir. At Lewisville Lake, this band typically runs from the normal shoreline up to the conservation pool elevation of about 535 feet. The Corps manages this land to support flood control, water supply, recreation, wildlife habitat, and shoreline stability.

Ownership by the USACE does not automatically create open public access everywhere. Some tracts are open to the public, and others are not. Use is controlled through the Shoreline Management Program and other federal authorities, so the Corps can restrict, permit, or condition activities depending on the specific tract and its management zone.

It also helps to understand how this differs from other terms you might see:

• Fee-owned land: The USACE owns the ground itself.
• Flowage or flood easement: The USACE has the right to inundate or use part of privately owned land without owning it.
• Littoral or riparian rights: Shoreline-related rights that come from state property law, which do not override USACE ownership or Shoreline Management Program rules on fee land.

What you can and cannot do next to your yard

Rules vary by tract and management zone, so always verify your specific location with the Lewisville Lake Project Office. In general, here is how common activities are handled.

Often allowed with little or no permission

• Low-impact recreation in areas open to the public, such as walking, shore fishing, or picnicking when not posted closed.
• Briefly crossing open USACE land where public use is allowed, following posted rules.

Commonly restricted without USACE authorization

• Building permanent structures, including sheds, boathouses, covered docks, or ramps on fee land.
• Placing fill, grading, dredging, excavation, or driving vehicles across the fee strip.
• Removing vegetation, including trees and shrubs, beyond minimal clearing for safe, temporary access.
• Installing fences, gates, private roads, or utility lines on USACE land.
• Establishing private docks, mooring, or boat ramps without approval under the Shoreline Management Program.
• Any commercial activity, sales, or rentals on USACE land without a commercial permit or lease.
• Claiming exclusive use of the USACE fee strip unless the Corps has issued a specific license or easement granting it.

Sometimes allowed with authorization

• Revocable licenses or non-exclusive permits for temporary work, construction access, or limited facilities.
• Easements or leases for defined purposes when consistent with project goals, often with conditions and fees.
• Shoreline Management Program permits for certain docks or similar structures that meet local rules.

How to find the actual boundary on your lot

Visual cues can be misleading. Waterlines shift and vegetation changes, so you need documents and, ideally, a survey to know where your private property ends and USACE land begins.

Start with your deed and title

• Review your deed for descriptions like “to the high-water mark,” “to a meander line,” or references to USACE property or monuments.
• Ask your title company for the recorded plat and any references to federal tracts or easements.

Get a boundary survey

• Hire a licensed surveyor to mark your property line and identify any USACE fee strip next to it.
• A current survey is the best protection against unintentional encroachments or disputes.

Use county maps and USACE resources as a guide

• The Denton County Appraisal District and county GIS maps can help you visualize parcel lines, but they are not a legal survey.
• The Lewisville Lake Project Office can provide shoreline maps, fee-owned tract diagrams, and the Shoreline Management Plan that applies to your area, including the 535-foot contour.

Field clues are not definitive

• A change in elevation, vegetation bands, or signs may hint at a boundary, but they are not legally conclusive.
• Always rely on recorded documents and surveys when accuracy matters.

Who to involve when conflicts arise

• For transactions or encroachment concerns, work with your title company and a real estate attorney. A survey and recorded documents provide clarity on rights and responsibilities.

How to request USACE permission

If you plan any work in the fee-owned band, assume you will need some level of USACE review. The type of authorization depends on what you propose and where your lot sits within the Shoreline Management Plan.

Types of authorizations

• Revocable license or permit: Short-term, non-exclusive permission for specific activities or temporary access. Can be revoked by the Corps.
• Easement or lease: A longer-term interest for defined improvements, often fee-based and more complex to obtain.
• Shoreline Management Program permit: The primary path for dock or mooring facilities, with rules on size, materials, location, and public access considerations.
• Conveyance: Rare transfers of interest; not a typical path for homeowners.

Step-by-step application checklist

1. Confirm ownership. Gather your deed, a recent boundary survey, and your parcel identification.
2. Contact the Lewisville Lake Project Office. Request the official fee-owned tract map for your shoreline, the Shoreline Management Plan, and the appropriate application form and checklist for your project.
3. Prepare your materials. You will typically need:
   • Completed USACE application form.
   • A site plan with lot lines, existing features, proposed improvements, dimensions, and water elevations.
   • A boundary survey by a licensed surveyor, especially for construction.
   • Your legal description and deed or title commitment.
   • Site photos and a description of materials, methods, and restoration or mitigation.
   • Proof of insurance if requested.
4. Submit and pay fees. Expect application or processing fees and possible bonds, depending on the request.
5. Undergo review. The Corps checks environmental impacts, consistency with the Shoreline Management Plan, public interest factors, and may coordinate with other agencies.
6. Receive a decision. If approved, comply with all conditions, monitoring, and maintenance requirements. If denied, you can adjust the proposal and reapply.

Timeline, fees, and local permits

• Minor, temporary licenses can take weeks, while easements or complex shoreline structures may take months.
• Corps authorization does not replace local approvals. You may also need permits from the City of Little Elm or Denton County for building, floodplain, zoning, or utilities. Coordinate early to keep your project on schedule.

Tips to improve your chances

• Submit a complete, professional package with a current survey and clear plans.
• Propose low-impact, non-exclusive designs and show how you will protect vegetation and control erosion.
• Be ready to accept reasonable conditions related to safety, access, or environmental protection.

Enforcement, liability, and smart next steps

What happens if you build without permission

• The USACE can order removal of unauthorized structures, fill, or vegetation clearing on fee land, often at the owner’s expense.
• Restoration orders, fines, or other remedies may apply if you fail to comply.

Liability and insurance notes

• Activities on federal land are not automatically covered by your homeowner policy. Corps authorizations often include indemnity and insurance requirements. Plan for this before you apply.

Neighbor situations

• Your neighbor’s dock or access path does not give you the same rights. Each authorization is property-specific and issued under its own conditions.

Action plan for Little Elm owners and buyers

• Pull your deed and get a current boundary survey.
• Check county parcel maps to understand the general layout, then request the official fee-owned tract map and Shoreline Management Plan from the Lewisville Lake Project Office.
• If you plan improvements, consult a surveyor, review the Shoreline Management Plan, and contact the Corps early. Coordinate with the City of Little Elm for any local permits.
• Keep copies of all authorizations and make sure any recorded instruments show up in your title documents.

Buying or selling a home by the lake

If you are preparing to sell, disclose any known USACE permits, licenses, easements, or unresolved issues. Provide the most recent survey and any correspondence with the Corps to help buyers evaluate future options.

If you are buying, ask for a current survey and copies of any USACE instruments affecting the property. Confirm whether any improvements in the fee-owned band were properly authorized. This reduces surprises later and can protect your timeline, budget, and financing strategy.

As a Little Elm buyer or seller, you benefit from a clear plan. Factor the Shoreline Management Plan, boundary details, and any permitting timelines into pricing, offer terms, and your closing calendar. A thoughtful approach can keep your transaction smooth while protecting your long-term use of the property.

Ready for next steps?

If you want help aligning property details with your financing and timing, we are here to guide you. Contact Real Estate Resources to Get a Free Home Valuation & Financing Review. We combine local market insight with integrated mortgage advice so you can make confident decisions around Lewisville Lake.

FAQs

What is USACE fee-owned land at Lewisville Lake?

• It is a band of shoreline property owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, typically up to the conservation pool elevation of about 535 feet, managed for flood control, water supply, recreation, habitat, and shoreline stability.

How do I know if a dock can be built behind my Little Elm home?

• Check the Shoreline Management Plan and contact the Lewisville Lake Project Office to confirm your tract’s zone, then apply for authorization; a current survey and detailed site plan are usually required.

Do I need both USACE and local permits for shoreline work?

• Often yes; USACE authorization does not replace City of Little Elm or Denton County permits, so coordinate with both early in your planning.

Are county appraisal maps enough to locate my boundary?

• No; county GIS maps are a helpful reference but not a legal survey, so rely on a licensed boundary survey for accuracy.

What happens if I clear vegetation or add fill without approval?

• The Corps can order removal and restoration and may pursue additional enforcement actions, with costs typically borne by the property owner.

How long do USACE reviews take for small projects?

• Timelines vary; simple, temporary licenses might be processed in weeks, while more complex or permanent requests can take months.