Saylorville Lake Building Restrictions? (Des Moines, Hawkeye: condo, storage, bars)

[Northern Traveler]

I was at beautiful Saylorville Lake not too long ago - and was wondering if anyone knew if the entire perimeter of the lake is closed off to building? If not you would have to wonder why no developer has tried to put some sort of condo development up on a bluff somewhere on this lake.

[Luke9686]

Good question. There has to be something to it. I believe Red Rock is the same way. I wonder if it's because technically it's a reservoir.

[DMRyan]

The Corps of Engineers owns most (if not all) of the land around Saylorville Lake and will not permit development. A few years ago, a local development company tried to woo the Corps into allowing a resort and condo complex to be built near the upgraded marina and they wouldn't go for it. The underlying purpose to Saylorville isn't recreation, but rather flood protection for the areas to the south that are near the Des Moines River. I wonder if this has something to do with it.

[SharpHawkeye]

Originally Posted by DMRyan

The Corps of Engineers owns most (if not all) of the land around Saylorville Lake and will not permit development. A few years ago, a local development company tried to woo the Corps into allowing a resort and condo complex to be built near the upgraded marina and they wouldn't go for it. The underlying purpose to Saylorville isn't recreation, but rather flood protection for the areas to the south that are near the Des Moines River. I wonder if this has something to do with it.

Which pretty much includes the entire downtown/central Des Moines area.

[Northern Traveler]

Originally Posted by SharpHawkeye

Which pretty much includes the entire downtown/central Des Moines area.

yep..

[pepe1]

The Army Corps of Engineers owns all of the land surrounding Saylorville Lake and building is not typically allowed.

Saylorville Lake is in fact a flood control resevoir - that is it's primary function. The lake elevation can vary as much as 60' for the purose of flood control. There is a corresponding land area that is water "storage" when the lake elevation is at it's storage capacity. This land area is huge and no building is allowed in the storage area for reasons of avoiding personal injury and property damage when the resevoir is at it's storage capacity.

[Northern Traveler]

guess that would explain why the sand bars go SO high up