Lake changes its fees

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Lake changes its fees

Paying for Table Rock Lake The Corps-maintained area tries to defray costs while being fair.

John Taylor

News-Leader

A change in use fees at public-use areas on Table Rock Lake is being described as an effort to make the fee structure more fair to visitors.

"We've had a day-use fee in the past, and we've switched to an area fee," Table Rock ranger Larry Hurley said. "The main reason we've done that is to help defray some of the costs of operating our parks and recreation areas. It's going to be a little fairer to our customers."

Fees going into effect April 1 include a fee of $4 per vehicle per day, which is a $2 increase. There will be a new $1 fee for people on foot.

Tamara Hall of Branson said she and her family usually visit Moonshine Beach — one of the public-use areas affected — several times a year.

She said the increase would not prevent her from enjoying time at the lake this summer.

"That's OK," said Hall. "It's pretty clean, and we enjoy going there."

The beach does not open for use until May 15. The beginning of fee season at other Corps-maintained public-use areas varies from April 1 to May 1.

In addition to Moonshine Beach, use fees will be charged at Indian Point, Cape Fair, Aunt's Creek, Mill Creek, Baxter, Old Highway 86, Long Creek, Cricket Creek, Viola, Viney Creek, Campbell Point, Big M and Eagle Rock public-use areas.

Don Hoeck of Branson, who was watching his 10-year-old son, Kaleb, fish Saturday at Table Rock Lake State Park near Moonshine Beach, said the fee change would not affect him. He and his son mainly visit the state park, which is not included in the fee increase.

"It would be a hardship for people who frequent the beach," he said.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has charged use fees at all of its lakes in the Little Rock District for several years to help defray operating and maintenance costs at campground, boat ramps and other facilities, district spokesman P.J. Spaul said.

"We don't charge entrance fees, for the most part," he said. "You can come in the park and sightsee, or whatever, but we do charge a fee for boat launchings and swimming."

People who use public use areas to launch boats or for other activities might consider purchasing a $30 yearly pass that can be used not only at Table Rock, but at other corps facilities, he said.

The corps also gives a 50 percent discount to people using Golden Age Passport, Golden Access Passport, America the Beautiful Senior Passport and the America the Beautiful Access Passport, Spaul said.

"People who have them, those passports are good for a lifetime, and we do honor them," he said.

While the fees apply to developed use areas, the fees aren't charged in less developed areas at Corps lakes, Spaul said.

Maria Moreno of Oklahoma City, who was visiting Table Rock Lake Saturday, said she would be more willing to pay the use fees as a tourist than if she lived near the lake.

Her brother, Fidel Moreno, also of Oklahoma City, indicated the scenery alone at the lake would be worth the price.

"I'm willing to pay to watch something beautiful," he said.

Kenneth and Janice Fangman were visiting Saturday from Iowa.

Janice Fangman said she would not have a problem with paying a fee as long as the money was being used for the betterment of the parks.

"That's normal to have to do that," added Kenneth Fangman.

Fees will not be charged to marina slip holders or marina customers not using areas outside of marina use areas. Current annual pass holders and registered overnight campers will be exempt from paying the fee.

Visitors to campsites will be required to pay the fee.