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PLEASE NOTE: It is illegal to tie to a buoy IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCE other than an emergency. When
someone ties to a buoy, there is a chance the
buoy will be dragged to the stump line and
render it dangerous.
BUOY PROBLEMS: Any boater
noticing problems with buoys can call the SRA
Louisiana and ask for Mike Carr. Report the
problems and it will get corrected. Please
report problems such as floating logs in lane,
buoy that has been moved, missing or damaged,
directional buoy with missing sign, etc. SRA-LA Office Phone: (318) 256-4112 E-Mail: Mike.Carr@la.gov If you are not speaking with someone
directly, please remember to give all the details
you can aabout the problem and location of
the problem.
Introduction:
As of May 1, 2004, Toledo Bend Reservoir had
2,000 marker buoys and 183 miles of marked
boat lanes.
As of February 17, 2010, the boat
lanes and buoy marker system has been changed.
The purpose of this page is to provide you
with information on the buoy marker system,
boat lanes, and changes now in effect, having
been made by the Sabine River Authority (the
agency responsible for the buoys).
There are now approximately 10,000 buoys marking
the 183 miles of boat lanes, with the main
north/south lane marked on each side of the
lane and the secondary north/south and east/west
lanes marked in the middle of the lanes.
Approximately 90 directional signs are being
installed, one at each boat lane intersection.
These directional signs will provide not only
information as to your location, but will be
a safety measure should you break down in inclement
weather and need to relay your location to
someone for help. All of these directional
signs coincide with the lake maps that are
available for purchase in this area. With the
new directional signs and a lake map, navigation
of Toledo Bend Reservoir will be vastly improved.
Pictures:
There are pictures at the bottom of the page
showing the new markers, one of the SRA buoy
tenders, samples of directional signs, and
a map of the lake and boat lanes.
Boat Lane Width:
Main boat lanes (usually North/South) are generally about 100' wide. Secondary boat lanes (usually East/West) are generally 30' - 40' wide.
North - South Boat Lanes:
The lake has over 70 miles of North/South boat lanes. All North/South lanes are marked on both sides of the lane. The North/South lanes generally follow the course of the Sabine River. Especially in the north part of the lake, the boat lanes may be somewhat winding - caution must be used to follow the lane and not "cut through" a
curve as the area not in the lane is likely
to have standing timber that may damage your
boat.
- New Markers:
The new markers are 4" diameter white
PVC pipe with either a red or green stripe
on them (Red is for the East/Louisiana side;
Green is for the West/Texas side). The new
markers are about
150 feet to 200 feet apart.
East - West Boat Lanes:
All East/West boat lanes are marked
with a single row of buoys in the center of
the boat lane. Generally these lanes are 30'
- 40' wide. CAUTIONARY NOTE: Please note that
since the East/West lanes are marked with a
single line of buoys and the lanes are generally
not as wide, you should make it a habit to
always run your boat on the windward (The side
FROM which the wind is blowing) side of the
buoys. Why? The buoys need enough slack in
the lines mooring them to allow for the lake
to be at its maximum level. When the lake is
lower, there is slack in these lines and the
wind will cause the buoys to float to the leeward
(The side TO which the wind is blowing) side
of the lane. Since these lanes are only 30'
- 40' wide to start with, this can possibly
leave a buoy at the very edge of the lane and
as your boat goes by it if you are on the leeward
side, it may be out of the lane and in danger.
Staying on the windward side means you will
always be in the lane. Since the North/South
lanes are wider and marked both sides, this
is generally not a problem with them.
- New Markers:
The new markers are 4" diameter white
PVC pipe with a red reflective stripe on
them. The new markers are about 150 feet
to 200 feet apart.
New Boat Lanes:
The SRA no longer has stump cutters and is,
therefore, no longer clearing new boat lanes.
HOWEVER, if someone cuts or has a lane cut
and contacts SRA and SRA deems it safe, SRA
will mark and GPS the lane and maintain it.
Safety Of Boat Lanes:
All lanes are safely navigable down to the
new low lake level of 168 MSL. Caution should
be used if the lake falls below that level!
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