Lake to get new public dock, signs about rules
Staff writer
County lake residents might have fewer problems with people using their privately owned docks after county commissioners decided Monday to install signs regarding lake rules but leave dock rules alone.
After debating ways to resolve dock owners’ complaints at length, commissioners decided to leave rules for private dock use as they already are but put up signs telling lake visitors that the lake closes at 11 p.m.
If a visitor has a camping permit, he or she may stay and fish past that time.
A privately owned dock is open to public use until 11 p.m. unless the owner is using it, but dock owners have complained about vandalism, trash, bait being left there, theft, and having to ask people to leave.
County counsel Brad Jantz suggested dock owners install gates on their docks.
Commissioner Kent Becker said he thought the county should come up with a plan to add more public docks.
One idea commissioners earlier considered was to privatize docks, which Jantz thought was the best idea. They ultimately voted 3-2 not to privatize docks, but instead leave rules as they are.
Commissioner Randy Dallke, Jonah Gehring, and David Crofoot voted in favor.
Commissioners next debated whether to permit people to fish on docks after the park closes at 11 p.m. and voted to put signs at the lake notifying visitors of curfew and that fishing after that time could be done only from the bank.
Commissioners then cast a unanimous vote to spend as much as $12,000 to build a public dock in the next year and develop a plan to add more public docks later. The county has four public docks.