Your Guide to Building a Dock Over a Marshland

Marshlands are biodiverse ecosystems filled with various types of wildlife and plant life. They’re the perfect place for outdoor enthusiasts to deepen their connection with nature. A dock can help you partake in your favorite marsh activities, from kayaking to birdwatching to fishing, more easily, comfortably and safely.

When building a dock over a marsh, you’ll need to consider a few unique factors — these special environments are teeming with life and require expertise to build on. Understanding why marshes are important and the precautions you must take before installing a dock can help you pick the right materials and preserve their ecosystems.

What Is a Marshland?

A marshland is a type of wetland characterized by being regularly or constantly flooded or drenched with water and breeding soft-stemmed vegetation that thrives in saturated soil. These marshes can occur in various conditions and places across the United States, from coastal to inland areas. For example, the Everglades in Florida is a 4,000-square-mile freshwater marshland, and the Scarborough Marsh in Maine is a 3,200-acre saltwater marshland.

Marshlands typically form in areas with heavy rains and strong tides, but groundwater can also feed them. Their appearance also varies, with some being flat, water-drenched grasslands and others being flooded, tree-filled woodlands.

What Unique Challenges Do Marshland Docks Face?

The conditions that create marshlands lead to nutrient-rich, pH-neutral ecosystems where plants, insects and animals thrive. These ecosystems host all types of life, from fungi and algae to shrimp and bass, which survive off each other and make for valuable fisheries.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) works with local, state and tribal governments to protect wetlands, including marshes, throughout the country. Different wetlands provide numerous benefits for surrounding ecosystems. For example, marshlands slow and store floodwater, helping reduce flood damage. Their microorganisms and vegetation consume nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen that can pollute surface water, protecting farms and urban areas from chemical runoff.

When constructing a marsh dock, you need to consider the ecosystem, water levels and soil dynamics along the shore and floor bed. The materials, dock type and position all influence how well your dock will hold and its effect on the environment.

There are two types of marshlands — tidal and non-tidal. A tidal marsh experiences rapidly fluctuating water levels, due to influence from ocean tides. In comparison, the water levels in non-tidal marshes typically remain the same, at around a few inches to 3 feet, but can surge during certain weather. These differences in water levels mean your dock needs to be able to adapt to constant fluctuations in the water level, whether it’s from storm surges or rising tides.

What Are the Zoning and Environmental Regulations for Marsh Docks?

The EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers protect wetlands of all types under the Clean Water Act. Constructing a dock in a regulated marshland area requires some form of authorization regardless of your state. However, zoning and permit laws may vary. 

For example, in New Jersey, Coastal Zone Management rules and compliance with the Flood Hazard Area Control Act Rules influence your ability to obtain a permit. In Orange County, Florida, you must apply for a permit through the Environmental Protection Division, providing all your planning and zoning approvals.

The permit application process helps determine the viability of the land on which you want to build your dock. It highlights the impact your construction may have on the surrounding environment and ensures you use the right materials and methods to prevent harming the ecosystem.

What Materials Are Best Suited for Marshland Docks?

Marshlands are subject to heavy rainfall, flooding events, high humidity and fluctuating temperatures, which can affect dock systems in various ways. Using durable, weather-resistant materials can ensure your dock lasts longer and withstands the elements. Docks are meant to be long-term fixtures on your property, so making them stable and weather-resistant is essential.

Extreme weather conditions can cause significant damage to your dock, breaking different components, compromising its structural integrity or washing it away entirely. For example, steel or concrete docks retain a lot of heat, causing them to dry, crack and splinter. A sudden storm surge can break apart and wash away or submerge these docks, increasing the risk of rotting.

Using the right materials can boost dock longevity in any weather. Some of the most popular materials for docks include wood, metal and plastic, all of which have various advantages and considerations when used in marshes:

Wood

A wood dock can accommodate fluctuating water levels, but it requires extensive maintenance. The dock must be treated and contain no toxins that could endanger the ecosystem when it splinters or rots. This material also creates a large shadow over the floor bed, preventing vegetation from soaking in sunlight.

Metal

Metals like aluminum and steel won’t corrode easily and can handle tides well. However, their weight makes installing them challenging, and it can affect the marshland floor, disrupting the ecosystem. These materials can also shade the marsh too much, potentially preventing some plants from proliferating.

Polyethylene

Polyethylene, a slip-resistant, splinter-free and heat-resistant plastic, allows the dock to float above the marshland, rising and falling with the water levels. This material is commonly used in floating docks, which are noninvasive and only require installation at the shore. The configuration of this type of dock’s modular pieces lets sunlight reach the vegetation below, allowing it to grow.

How Do You Build an Eco-Friendly Dock in a Marsh?

Building an eco-friendly marsh dock involves considering how it affects the ecosystem within the marshland, ensuring you don’t endanger it. That means taking the flora, fauna, soil and water into account. Avoid changing the water flow, shading vegetation and disrupting wildlife by taking these considerations into account:

1. Size: Consider your dock’s size and choose a design that suits local biodiversity. For example, floating docks allow natural water to flow beneath them, reducing environmental impact. You’ll want your dock to be large enough to suit your needs yet properly designed to limit its effects on the ecosystem.
2. Location: Work with environmental experts to find a location that will have minimal impact on the ecosystem and water flow patterns. Look for an accessible area on your property that will do as little damage as possible.
3. Construction methods: To minimize harm to the surrounding environment, consider low-impact techniques and specialized equipment. One idea is to use a modular deck that can be easily reconfigured if needed.
4. Dock materials: Choose sustainable materials such as recycled rubber and polyethylene to reduce finite resource consumption and avoid releasing toxins into the marsh. These materials also lower maintenance needs and costs.
5. Environmental concerns: To reduce your dock’s environmental impact, establish artificial reefs and plant native vegetation. You can also use modular floating docks that don’t require supporting substructures or pilings to prevent damaging the ecosystem in the first place.

Marshland-Friendly Anchoring Techniques

Marshland floors are typically lined with mud and vegetation, which is teeming with life. To preserve this ecosystem, consider using boat and dock anchoring materials and techniques that minimize this impact.

When anchoring your boat, consider your position to the wind and current. Avoid dragging the anchor and damaging the ecosystem below. Stop your boat and slowly drop the anchor over the bow before moving slowly down current or downwind while releasing a significant amount of slack on your line. Avoid anchoring in areas that have protected reefs or fragile vegetation.

Wood and steel docks require large pipes and pilings for anchoring, which could splinter, rot or rust, introducing toxins into the ecosystem. Polyethylene floating docks don’t contact the marshland bed but instead use built-in air chambers, steel tubes or barrels to stay afloat without damaging the ecosystem.

Here are a few factors to consider regarding anchoring techniques in marshlands:

• Water can cause materials like steel and wood to rust or rot and leach harmful chemicals into the marsh.
• Water surges are common in marshes, raising and lowering water levels. Handling these conditions requires flexible anchoring systems that can adjust to these fluctuations.
• Wildlife is abundant and may try to interfere with your dock or dig up your anchoring. To prevent this, use sturdy materials like aluminum and polyethylene.
• Moss and decaying leaves often surround and fill marshes, leading to loose ground and slippery surfaces. Ensure anchoring systems and docks account for this with slip-resistant materials.

FAQs on Building Docks for Marshlands

Building a dock in a marsh is a unique project, so you may have a few more questions about the process. Check out some of the most frequently asked questions and their answers here:

What Is the Best Dock for Shallow Water?

Since marshes can occasionally be shallow, it’s key to choose a dock that can move with the water. A floating dock can seamlessly move up and down with the water flow, which can help you access your boat even when the water level is lower than usual. As the water rises back up, so will the dock.

How Long Does a Marsh Dock Last?

With the right materials and proper installation, a marsh dock can last decades, even amid fluctuating water levels, humidity and other unique environmental factors. If you choose a durable floating dock made of weather-resistant polyethylene, you can have peace of mind your dock will last for years to come, even with a lower level of required maintenance.

Do You Need to Remove a Floating Dock in the Winter?

Some marshlands are located in areas that experience cold weather. Depending on your location and the severity of the weather, it may make sense to remove the floating dock before the winter season. This way, you can avoid unnecessary damage from snow, harsh winds, ice and other elements. If you choose to keep your dock in the water, you can protect it by removing attachments like ladders, adding slack to the anchor line and taking other relevant measures.

How Does EZ Dock Support Marshland Dock Projects?

EZ Dock products are engineered for excellence, offering lightweight construction, durability and flexibility. By conducting regular and rigorous testing, from long-term exposure trials to weather testing, we ensure our products are up-to-standard, reliable and long-lasting. Our materials are also noninvasive and safe for the environment.

EZ Dock floating docks are ideal for marshlands’ muddy floor beds. They don’t require pilings and pipes, minimizing installation costs and environmental impact. This design also helps you prepare for harsh weather, where storing the dock reduces risk and protects your investment.

Here are a few other ways EZ Dock products support marshland dock projects:

• Durable and weather-resistant designs: EZ Dock products use weather-resistant materials built to withstand extreme conditions and different environments. Our polyethylene floating chambers are made using rotomolding to ensure thick, strong walls, strengthening their structural integrity. Thanks to their rust and corrosion-resistant materials, our fasteners are durable in both freshwater and saltwater environments.
• Flexible configurations: Our coupling systems allow our floating dock sections to move independently without losing structural firmness, making it easier for them to withstand fluctuating weather conditions. You can also customize them as needed so they’re fully functional in your space.
• Environmentally friendly: We make our docks with recycled rubber and polyethylene, reducing the risk of releasing harmful toxins into the ecosystem. Our docks let sunlight through, supporting life beneath the surface. We adhere to environmental guidelines during our manufacturing process to reduce energy consumption and waste. We’re also involved in habitat restoration, collaborating with conservation organizations by providing our products and expertise.
• Low maintenance and long-lasting: EZ Dock products are easy to maintain and resist cracking, fading and peeling. They can last for decades with only occasional cleaning because they’re designed to withstand regular use, harsh weather and UV rays, saving you money in the long run. In marshland environments, easy-to-maintain docks are a necessity.

Build a Marshland-Friendly Dock With EZ Dock

EZ Dock has spent over 26 years creating and mastering durable, weather-resistant and eco-friendly floating dock systems. We use materials that provide flexibility and longevity, surpassing traditional wood docks. Our docks never splinter or rot and can withstand extreme weather conditions like storms and floods.

If you’re looking for a durable and sustainable dock to build over a marsh, EZ Dock products are the answer. Whether you want an entire dock configuration or a simple kayak launch, we have what you need. Contact us today and request a quote for your new marsh dock.