Lake Tyler Master Plan

Thank you for your question regarding the use of city (chlorinated) water to rinse boats and docks, and how this may affect lake water quality.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established National Recommended Water Quality Criteria for chlorine to protect fish and other aquatic organisms in freshwater. These criteria identify very low concentrations of total residual chlorine (TRC) that should not be exceeded in surface waters, approximately 0.011 mg/L for long-term (chronic) exposure and 0.019 mg/L for short-term (acute) exposure. These values are measured in parts per billion and are significantly lower than chlorine levels typically present in treated drinking water.

These EPA criteria serve as the benchmarks for establishing chlorine limits in discharge permits under the Clean Water Act. Any discharge of chlorinated water to surface waters must meet these criteria through a permitted process.

Due to these very low thresholds, activities that result in the direct or concentrated discharge of chlorinated water into the lake can negatively impact water quality and aquatic life. Rinsing activities are generally less likely to impact the lake when the water is allowed to dissipate into surrounding soil or vegetated areas, where chlorine can naturally break down before reaching the lake, rather than flowing directly into the water.

The City’s goal is to protect the lake’s water quality while supporting normal recreational use. We appreciate residents being mindful of activities that could impact this important resource. Thank you for reaching out with this question and for your interest in protecting the lake.

The bridge connecting Lake Tyler and Lake Tyler East is owned, operated, and maintained by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), not the City of Tyler. The work that occurred last summer was part of a TxDOT-led maintenance or repair effort, and the City does not control the construction schedule, scope, or completion timeline for state-maintained infrastructure.

At this time, the City has not been notified that the project has been formally closed out or permanently halted; however, it is not uncommon for TxDOT projects to be paused due to funding cycles, contractor availability, permitting, or the need for additional engineering evaluation. The unfinished conditions on the south end of the bridge remain under TxDOT’s jurisdiction.

As part of the Lake Tyler Master Plan, the City is identifying erosion and infrastructure concerns that affect lake health, public safety, and long-term sustainability. While the City cannot directly complete repairs on TxDOT infrastructure, these concerns can be documented and elevated through coordination with TxDOT to advocate for resolution and future improvements.

The City appreciates residents bringing these observations forward, as they help inform coordination efforts with partner agencies responsible for infrastructure impacting the lakes.

The Jan. 14 City Council meeting will be held at City Hall, located at 212 N. Bonner Ave. There are many ways to get to City Hall that avoid the Downtown construction. For details on where construction is taking place and which areas to avoid, please visit the Downtown Improvement Project page. Additionally, City Hall has a parking lot located at the northwest corner of West Ferguson Street and North Border Avenue, as well as parking spaces around the building that will be available.

Thank you for sharing this perspective. Feedback like this helps highlight the need to balance water supply protection with recreational access, and it will be valuable as future planning and improvements are discussed.

The City will not prohibit the inspecting plumber from performing repairs. The plumber selected to do boatthouse inspections will provide a written report summarizing any necessary repairs or corrections that need to be made. 

Homeowners may use the report to obtain quotes and select ANY licensed plumber they choose to complete the work.

Thank you for this question and for thinking about how to fund lake patrol and related services sustainably.

The Master Plan discusses conceptual options for generating additional revenue, but it does not establish a specific program. At this stage, there is no adopted plan to implement monthly or annual launch fees for recreational users of the lake.

If, in the future, the Tyler City Council chooses to explore launch fees or other user-based fees, that would occur through a separate process with additional analysis needed. As part of that process, the City would need to examine how any fees are structured (for example, day passes versus annual passes) and how enforcement would be implemented at public ramps and on the water, in coordination with law enforcement.

Currently, the Master Plan’s role is to outline potential funding tools and priorities at a high level, rather than implementing or committing to any specific new fees. Any actual changes to fees or enforcement programs would require future direction from the Tyler City Council before moving forward.

Thank you for sharing your concerns. We've heard similar feedback from many leaseholders, and we appreciate the role you play in caring for the shoreline, reporting safety issues, and helping maintain the character of both Lake Tyler and Lake Tyler East. Community involvement is an important part of this process.

Lake patrol and enforcement

Speeding, no-wake violations, and limited patrol presence have been common concerns we've heard. The draft Lake Tyler Master Plan recommends pursuing funding for more regular lake patrols and improving coordination with law enforcement agencies through interlocal agreements. While the Master Plan does not itself create a full-time patrol, it prioritizes lake safety and provides a framework for the City to work toward stronger enforcement.

City services outside city limits

Leaseholder properties are outside the Tyler city limits and therefore outside the City's taxing district, which affects services such as trash collection, library access, fire service, and general police coverage. The scope of the Master Plan focuses on lake management, including water quality, erosion, recreation, public access, safety on the water, and long-term infrastructure needs. Your comments about service equity will be shared with City leadership for future policy discussions.

Lease fees and fairness between Lake Tyler and Lake Tyler East

The draft Master Plan explores a variety of funding options for long-term needs like shoreline protection, water quality, safety, and recreation. These options include diversifying revenue sources such as boat permits, commercial leases, fuel sales fees, irrigation fees, and recreation fees. The goal is to distribute costs fairly among everyone who uses and impacts the lakes.

One of the guiding principles of the Master Plan is that long-term investments should not punish those who already contribute so much to maintaining and improving the lakes. Your feedback supports that principle and will be included in the public record for consideration.

Thank you again for taking the time to share your perspective and for your continued commitment to the lake. Your voice is helping shape this process.

The full Master Plan is still being developed and has not been finalized yet. This project page is designed to share updates and information about the planning process as it progresses. Once the Master Plan is completed, it will be posted here for everyone to review. As a reminder, once the plan is adopted, each proposed improvement will still require a feasibility review, funding evaluation, and prioritization process before any work starts.

We apologize for any confusion. The section you referenced applies only to leases created after 2011. Existing leases established prior to that time remain in effect under the original terms agreed upon. The City is not breaking or modifying existing leases and is not adding new taxes or fees for current leaseholders under this provision.

The Master Plan does not identify any specific dredging projects at this time. However, Tyler Water Utilities is currently working with the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to complete a bathymetric survey of the lake. This study will provide updated information on water storage capacity and sediment buildup across different areas.

Once the survey results are available, we will evaluate whether dredging is necessary, feasible, and cost-effective. If a dredging project is recommended, potential areas would be identified based on the survey results, including sediment “hot spots” near tributary mouths or coves. Factors such as environmental impacts, permitting requirements, available funding, and public input will also be taken into consideration.