Seawall and bulkhead planning for waterfront businesses
Get a plan for the seawall while accounting for boat slips, customer access, utilities and busy seasons.
Tell us how the business uses the waterfront.
- Shoreline sections, approximate lengths and any reports of movement, erosion or damage.
- Slips, docks, shore power, fuel, water and other utilities in or near the work area.
- Customer and staff routes, emergency access, accessible entrances and delivery needs.
- Busy seasons, events, lease requirements and preferred dates for the work.
- Boat movements, space for equipment and limits on access from the water.
Check what the wall supports.
Show the engineer any docks, pavement, equipment and utilities connected to or near the wall. These can affect its design and repair cost. Get a project-specific assessment and budget for the commercial work.
Plan permits and business access together.
Ask the project team to list the permits needed and who will handle each application. Alabama Power’s application instructions explain the information needed for marina and shoreline projects.
Ask whether work can be done in stages. Plan temporary protection, any closures and changes to slips or utilities before the work begins.
Common questions
Can the business stay open during work?
It depends on the work and safe access. Tell the project team which operations need to continue and ask for a plan showing any closures or temporary changes.
Can repairs be scheduled outside peak season?
Share your preferred dates and peak season. Confirm the feasible work schedule with the project team before relying on a preferred date.
Are dock and utility changes included?
Ask for dock connections, electricity, water and fuel systems to be listed in the work description and price. Some systems may need a separate specialist.
Can I use a homeowner calculator for this budget?
It can help organize known prices and missing costs. For the marina’s budget, use prices based on its own design, equipment access, utilities and permit needs.
Who handles permits and operational approvals?
Ask the project team to list the local, state and federal permits needed and name who will handle each application.
Is emergency stabilization available?
If there is immediate danger, move people away and contact local emergency services. For movement, soil loss or serious wall damage, seek prompt help from a seawall professional.
Use Alabama Power’s non-residential review
Marinas and other non-residential facilities have separate guidelines. The bank-stabilization provisions address riprap toes and Corps preapproval for seawalls longer than 1,000 feet. That length clause does not exempt shorter work from all federal review.
Send the complete facility scope to Alabama Power: wall, docks, slips, access, dredging, utilities and proposed staging. Ask the Corps which current authorization applies when needed.
Alabama Power non-residential shoreline guidelines · USACE · Regulatory Request System
Keep the operating plan alongside the construction plan
Identify areas that must close, temporary vessel arrangements and utility work. Agree on how boat access and public routes will be managed during each phase. Lake-level and weather contingencies belong in the sequence.
If dredging is proposed, treat it as its own reviewed activity with a spoil plan. A wall permit does not silently authorize excavation of the lakebed.
Alabama Power · Smith Lake conditions and reservoir facts · Smith Lake residential shoreline guidelines · July 2025
Show sourcesHide sources
- Alabama Power non-residential shoreline guidelinesSource reviewed 2026-11-04
- USACE · Regulatory Request SystemSource reviewed 2026-11-04
- Alabama Power · Smith Lake conditions and reservoir factsSource reviewed 2026-11-04
- Smith Lake residential shoreline guidelines · July 2025Source reviewed 2026-11-04
Discuss a waterfront business project
Record the affected shoreline and the decision you need to make. Use the notes when discussing scope with the appropriate professional.