Tips & Tricks

  • When selecting a location for the dock and float consider what types of habitats are present and choose a site where it will cause the least impact. In general, hard surfaces (e.g. rocks and cobbles) are less sensitive to human activities than soft surfaces (e.g. mud) and all marine vegetation, particularly eelgrass, must be avoided
  • The minimum clearance below the float at low tide (see diagram above) should be 1½ metres to avoid the wash from propellers disturbing the seabed
  • Concrete, plastic or steel pilings are an environmentally sound alternative to treated wood pilings
  • Until it fully hardens, concrete is very toxic to aquatic organisms. Use of pre-cast structures or isolating the wet cement from the surrounding water until it is dry are two ways to reduce this problem
  • No dredging, blasting and filling below the high water mark should be considered
  • Avoid the use of heavy equipment below the high water mark wherever possible. If intertidal work is necessary, work must occur only under approved conditions and when the site is not wetted by the tide
  • Care must be taken to minimize the area disturbed by construction activities and to preserve trees, shrubs and grasses near the shoreline. Leaving the site natural will prevent interruption of ocean currents and reduce the potential for beach erosion
  • Existing rocks and logs in the marine environment are important fish habitats and should not be used as building materials
  • Docks and floats shade the seabed, and could reduce or eliminate the growth of aquatic plants that are an integral part of the food web. To reduce this impact:
  • Docks should be at least 2 metres above the highest high water mark.
  • Keep ramps and docks to a width of 1.0 – 1.5 metres
  • Use grates or space boards on ramp and float decking to let light reach plants and animals below
  • If possible, try to align your dock to lie north to south to allow better light penetration  under dock structures