If your lake level rises and falls more than a foot or two through the year, or the water at the end of your dock is deeper than a few feet, a floating dock is usually the right choice. A stationary or roll-in dock fits best in shallow water with a firm bottom and a level that stays fairly steady, like many ponds and farm lakes.

Quick answer

• Big seasonal swings (Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley): floating dock, with a gangway that can flex as the water moves.
• Deep water off the bank: floating dock.
• Shallow, steady water with a firm bottom (many ponds and farm lakes): a stationary or roll-in dock is a solid, lower-profile option.
• Heavy wake or open water: floating, built heavy and anchored for the exposure.
• Soft bottom: floating.

What decides it: your water, not the catalog

Water-level swings

A stationary dock is set at one height. When the lake drops, the deck sits high above the water and boarding gets awkward. When it rises, the deck can go under. A floating dock rides the change, so the deck stays the same height above the water all year. On water that moves, that is the main reason we steer people toward floating.

Depth and bottom

Stationary docks stand on legs, so they need shallow water and a bottom firm enough to hold them. Deep water means longer legs and more cost, and a soft bottom lets legs sink unevenly. Floating docks handle depth and soft bottoms better, though both still matter for anchoring.

Wave and wake exposure

A fixed dock takes wave energy straight into its posts and framing. A floating dock moves with the wave and spreads the load through its anchoring. In our experience, how a dock responds to force matters more than how heavy it is. We design anchoring around fetch, wind exposure, bottom type and depth. A floating dock in open water needs a heavy frame and anchoring sized for the site.

Ice and winter

Ice and wind can push on any dock in a cold winter. Roll-in docks can be pulled to shore. Floating docks stay in, so the anchoring and gangway need to allow for movement. On Lake of Egypt, a DockGuard inspection is a good time to look at both.

Angles for the lakes we work on

Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley

These are the clearest case for floating. Kentucky Lake has a typical summer target of 359 feet and a minimum winter elevation of 354 feet. That’s a 5-foot swing every year, and the drawdown begins after the Fourth of July weekend. Lake Barkley, joined to Kentucky Lake by a canal, runs a similar 359 to 354 foot schedule. Dry springs add to it, and Lake Barkley has run about three feet below normal for the season. A floating dock with a hinged gangway handles all of that.

Lake of Egypt

Lake of Egypt is about 2,300 acres, built in 1962 as a cooling reservoir for a power plant, with an average depth of about 18 feet and a maximum of about 52 feet. Deep water off many lots favors floating, while shallow coves can go either way. Southern Illinois Power Cooperative owns and runs the lake under its own rules, so check those before planning a new dock or a dock relocation.

Private ponds and farm lakes

Ponds are where stationary and roll-in docks earn their place. Shallow water near the bank, a firm bottom and a steady level make a stationary dock a solid choice. If the pond is deep off the bank or drops in a dry summer, go floating. A modular dock works well for a swim or fishing platform.

Floating dock options we carry

Galvanized steel frames with rotomolded floats

We build heavy-duty galvanized steel floating dock frames in our Marion shop and set them on encapsulated rotomolded floats. These frames carry a 5-year structural warranty. They suit big lakes, heavy use, lifts and commercial work. See dock frames and dock floats.

Wahoo Docks aluminum

We sell the full line of Wahoo Docks aluminum-frame docks, including luxury options. The frames are marine-grade aluminum, which avoids the corrosion and upkeep that come with older materials.

EZ Dock and Connect-A-Dock modular

Modular polyethylene sections snap together into walkways, swim platforms, kayak launches and PWC ports. EZ Dock sections are polyethylene with sealed air pockets, so they float without separate barrels underneath. Browse floating dock systems.

Stationary and roll-in: DAKA

We carry the full DAKA line of sectional and roll-in docks. Sectional docks stand on adjustable legs. Roll-in docks ride on wheels, so sections roll in and out for the season. Both work best in shallow, steady water. Browse DAKA docks.

Budget and maintenance

A floating dock often costs more up front because of the floats, a heavier frame and anchoring. Over time, a floating dock typically needs less upkeep and fewer repairs tied to water-level changes. Stationary docks can cost less on a small, shallow site, but legs need checking and adjusting. Pay-over-time financing is available at online checkout, and larger projects can be financed through Hearth.

Planning a boat lift too?

Econolift floating lifts bolt to the dock and ride with it. Econolift’s 4,500 and 6,500 lb lifts need roughly 3.5 to 4 feet of water, and front-mount models are available for docks that can’t take a side attachment. We recommend building the dock to carry the lift from the start. See boat lifts.

Frequently asked questions

Is a floating or stationary dock better for Kentucky Lake?

For most Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley shorelines, a floating dock is the better fit. Kentucky Lake sits around 359 feet in summer and falls to a minimum of 354 feet in winter, a 5-foot swing. A floating dock rides that change and stays at the same height above the water, while a fixed dock built for summer pool can end up sitting well above the water by winter.

When does a stationary or roll-in dock make sense?

A stationary or roll-in dock makes sense in shallow water with a firm bottom and a fairly steady water level, which describes many ponds, farm lakes and small private lakes. It sits on legs instead of floats, so it feels solid underfoot. Roll-in sections ride on wheels, which makes it easier to pull the dock to shore for winter or for work on the shoreline.

Does a floating dock cost more than a stationary dock?

Often it does up front, since floats, a heavier frame and an anchoring system add cost. In our experience, a floating dock costs more to start but needs less long-term upkeep and fewer repairs tied to water-level changes. The real comparison depends on your water depth, dock size and how often a fixed dock would need adjusting, so we price both when a site could go either way.

Can I put a boat lift on a floating dock?

Yes. Floating lifts like Econolift bolt to the dock and ride up and down with it, so the boat stays at the same height as the deck as the lake changes. Plan on roughly 3.5 to 4 feet of water for Econolift’s 4,500 and 6,500 lb lifts. The dock frame, floats and anchoring all need to be sized for the added load before the lift goes on.

What kind of dock works best on Lake of Egypt?

It depends on where your lot sits. Lake of Egypt averages about 18 feet deep and reaches about 52 feet, so many shorelines drop off quickly, which favors a floating dock. Shallow coves with a firm bottom can suit a stationary dock. Southern Illinois Power Cooperative owns the lake and sets its own rules, so check those before you plan any new dock.

Talk to a dock builder about your shoreline

Send us photos of your shoreline, the water depth where the dock would end, and how you’ll use it. We’ll tell you which type fits your water. Call 618-294-6905 or request a quote. See our new and used docks.