The first thing that you need to know and understand about owning property at Nolin is the definitions of the “Red Line” and the “Yellow Line” -- what they mean, how they are marked, and how they impact property values. There are actually four elevation numbers that we want to illustrate to you.
| Elevation marker | Feet | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Winter Pool | 492 Feet | Flood Control Prep |
| Summer Pool | 515 Feet | Recreational Level |
| Red Line | 544 Feet | Corps Property Boundary |
| Yellow Line | 566 Feet | Max Flood / Flowage Easement |
For the sake of this discussion, we will simply discuss the opening and closing of the gate at the dam, which may include partial opening or closing.
In preparation for our normal wet winter and spring, the COE begins lowering the water level in the lake beginning around mid-October. The water level is lowered to Winter Pool or 492 feet. If you visit the lake at this time, it will be very evident that the water level has been lowered. You will see docks sitting on dry shorelines and some boat ramps do not extend far enough to launch a boat still! At this point, the lake is 23 feet below summer pool. Sometime in the spring, the COE will close the gate on the dam and begin collecting spring rains and raise the elevation of the water from the Winter Pool to the Summer Pool. Summer Pool is the benchmark elevation guide that the COE uses when establishing where docks can be placed, etc. This is the depth where MOST people will be using the lake for recreational use.
Above Summer Pool is the Red Line. The Red Line marks where your private property ends and property owned by the COE begins. You will typically see something in listings that note the property has “Red Line Frontage” or “180 Feet of Red Line Frontage” -- these descriptions notate that the property runs directly into property owned and controlled by the COE. We will discuss this further when discussing dock access.
The property below the Red Line is owned by the COE and any and all vegetation, trees, etc on that land is not to be disturbed without permission from the COE. This is where the Shoreline Management Guide kicks in. It spells out what permits are required to have paths through this area to access docks and the water.
The next elevation line to be aware of is the Yellow Line. The Yellow Line marks the “Flowage Easement” -- Essentially, you own and maintain the property as you see fit from the Red Line to the Yellow Line. But you can’t build any permanent structures “below” the yellow line. The COE has the right to flood this part of your property if needed to protect lives and property. The Yellow Line is as high as the water can be raised at the lake. Once the water gets higher than the Yellow Line, it would start flowing into the spillway which is designed to protect the integrity of the dam.