Boat docks in the Kowaliga area
Dock work along the Kowaliga arm, one of the lake's most storied stretches of water.
Kowaliga was a historically Black community founded around 1890 by John Jackson Benson, a formerly enslaved man who built his holdings to 3,000 acres. His son William founded the Kowaliga Academic and Industrial Institute, and the family's Dixie Industrial Company built a 16-mile railroad to Alexander City. Martin Dam's completion in 1926 flooded the town and Kowaliga Creek, and part of the old community now lies under the water beneath the Kowaliga Bridge. As of 2021, much of the land was owned by Russell Lands.
Arm and slough shorelines
Along the arm, many lots face sloughs rather than open water. That puts the one-third rule front and center: nothing, including a moored boat, can extend more than a third of the way across a narrow slough at full pool. Total length is also capped at 62 feet, so builders often lay out slips parallel to shore in tight water.
Common projects here
- Two-level boathouses on newer lake homes
- Floating docks sized for winter depth
- Lifts for larger boats
- Seawall and riprap work along developed shoreline
Community architectural review
Many lake developments have their own architectural review. Alabama Power lists subdivision ARC or HOA approvals among the documents a permit request may need, so get that approval lined up alongside your drawing.
Common questions
Is my Kowaliga lot in a narrow slough?
A builder can measure across the water at full pool. If it's narrow, the one-third rule may limit how far the dock reaches.
Do I need my development's approval first?
If your community has an architectural review committee or HOA, include its approval with your Alabama Power permit request.
Services in Kowaliga
- New boat docksFixed and floating docks laid out to Alabama Power's size, length and setback limits.
- Boathouses and covered docksCovered slips, two-level boathouses and shoreline-side storage built to the open-structure rules.
- Boat lifts and PWC liftsBoat lifts, PWC lifts and floating ports, sized for your boat and winter depth.
- Dock repair and flotationNew flotation, decking, framing, gangway and roof repairs for older docks.
- Seawalls and riprapRiprap, seawall repair and new walls for banks worn by waves and wakes.
Nearby areas
Want the dock done before summer pool comes back?
Call now and a dock builder who works on Lake Martin will call you back to talk through your lot, the drawdown and the Alabama Power permit.