Lake Toxaway Community Association provides 24/7 security from AlliedBarton Security. They patrol amenities and over 30 miles of roads within Lake Toxaway. Allied also enforces traffic regulations on LTCA private roads, provides house checks for LTCA owners when requested, and monitors security cameras. They help keep our community crime-free.
Issues involving LTCA security violations and suspicious criminal activity should be reported to AlliedBarton Security at 828-989-0508. Remember, AlliedBarton Security officers are on duty 24/7. Security is available to all homeowners at all times for enforcement. The LTCA has a boat patrol officer on duty during the months of May - September. The boat patrol number is 828-507-4145.
Lake Rules
Lake Cardinal and Lake Toxaway are private lakes owned by the Lake Toxaway Community Association (LTCA). The lakes are for the exclusive use of the Lake Toxaway Estates property owners and their guests, subject to the rules and regulations which have been formulated by the LTCA Lake Committee and approved by the LTCA Board. The term “good standing” shall mean, at a minimum, payment of all assessments, fees and/or charges levied by the Association. These regulations apply to both lakes and are intended to serve as a means to keep our lakes a pristine, safe and happy place for all of the property owners and their guests.
The assumption is made that each property owner who uses the lakes will familiarize himself with the information contained herein and will inform his guests of the contents. Each property owner is responsible for his actions and the actions of his relatives and guests. If you witness activities that you feel are not in the best interest of our community - activities that would, in your opinion, degrade or destroy our beautiful lakes and their tranquility - please let the LTCA office know.
Help us keep our lakes “The Crown Jewels” that they are. Remember our lakes are rare and the only ones we have.
Access to Lake Toxaway and Lake Cardinal is controlled by the property owners through the Lake Toxaway Community Association (LTCA). They are for the exclusive use of Lake Toxaway Estates property owners and their guests subject to regulations recommended by the Lake Committee and approved by the LTCA Board. As used herein, the term “good standing” shall mean, at a minimum, payment of all assessments, fees and/or charges levied by the Association. The purpose of these regulations is to ensure the protection and safety of all persons and watercraft, the water quality of the lakes, and the protection of all lakefront property. Because the two dams are potentially dangerous, the LTCA has appropriately designated them as “No Trespassing” areas. Violators are subject to prosecution.
Lake Cardinal is a private lake in every respect. Accordingly, the only persons who have the right to boat or fish on Lake Cardinal are owners and residents whose property is on the lakefront. Anyone else found boating on or fishing in Lake Cardinal may be subject to a charge of trespassing.
Renters of homes and condos in Lake Toxaway Estates and Greystone Inn guests may rent boats at the marina for use on Lake Toxaway. However, renters and guests are strictly prohibited from placing their own boats, or boats in their possession, on Lake Toxaway at any time.
The water quality of Lake Toxaway and Lake Cardinal, while very good, is constantly threatened by the intrusion of exotic, invasive plant species, loosely defined as anything that is not normal or indigenous to the mountain lakes. Lake water is also exposed to possible leaching from septic, gas and oil tanks, and other contaminants. Whenever any suspicious looking plants or substances are observed in or around the lakes, they should be reported immediately to the LTCA office.
Discarding trash, grass clippings, leaves, construction or other debris into the lakes or streams is detrimental to these waters and is strictly prohibited. This applies to boat operators, property owners and their guests and tenants, landscape contractors and all other persons.
For environmental reasons, the addition of fish, wildlife, or plant life to the lakes is forbidden. The LTCA monitors the lakes and will determine the type, quantity, and timing of any such additions. Also for environmental reasons, fuel storage/dispensing tanks are not permitted to be kept or used on personal docks and boathouses or within 75 feet of the lake front.
Trees that have fallen into the lake water create obstructions that are potentially dangerous to boaters, anyone they are pulling behind them, and swimmers. It is the responsibility of property owners to have such trees removed. If, after 30 days of written notification such trees have not been removed, the LTCA will have them removed at the owner’s expense.
Buoys that are not sanctioned by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission are prohibited. Such buoys, when found, are subject to removal by the Wildlife Resources Officer or AlliedBarton Security.
For safety and environmental reasons, all dredging, digging or any other alteration of the lake bed is controlled by the LTCA. All requests for work of this nature must be submitted to the LTCA for approval prior to starting the job.
Normal hours of operation are from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. or 1 hour after sunset, whichever occurs first. From then until 8:00 a.m. the next morning, all boats shall proceed cautiously at low speed, as conditions dictate. In accordance with NC Law, no nighttime water-skiing, tubing or other dangerous activities are permitted.
Whenever excessive rainfall causes the lake level to increase by one foot above normal, as measured at the main dam valve stem, or weather forecasts indicate that flood conditions are imminent, the LTCA will close Lake Toxaway and Lake Cardinal to all boats except authorized security or law enforcement vessels. Lake conditions will be re-evaluated after 24 hours.
Boating Rules
Every person who operates a boat on Lake Toxaway and Lake Cardinal must comply with NC General Statutes, Chapter 75A (Boating and Water Safety) as amended. To familiarize yourself with the content, visit https://www.ncleg.gov/Laws/GeneralStatuteSections/Chapter75A.
You may also want to visit https://www.ncwildlife.gov/boating/laws-safety/boating-regulations for more information. Included below are several LTCA regulations that also apply to Lake Toxaway and Lake Cardinal.
All watercraft must display a current Lake Toxaway permit (boat decal) on the starboard (right) side of the hull. Upon receipt of a properly completed application, the LTCA office will issue a boat-specific decal at the current fee for each powerboat, non-power boat, and commercial boat. In the event a decal is lost or misplaced before it is affixed to the boat applied for, the decal may be replaced at the full current price when accompanied by a signed statement to that effect. If the original decal is found and returned to the LTCA during the same calendar year, the LTCA will refund the extra fee.
Boat owners whose watercraft do not display a current decal are not permitted to launch their watercraft from the boat ramp, or purchase gasoline from, or rent boat slips at the marina.
All boats and trailers that have been absent from Lake Toxaway for any reason other than storage or repair must be commercially cleaned before entering or re-entering our lakes.
Lakefront property owners in good standing with the LTCA may keep a maximum of two powerboats at their property. Property owners who have boat access ramps shall not allow such ramps to be used by any person or for any boat other than his/her own.
Non-lakefront property owners in good standing with the LTCA may purchase one powerboat decal for their properly registered powerboat for launching at the marina or any other facility as may be approved by the LTCA.
Each boat operator, or his/her parental authority if such operator is a minor, is responsible and legally liable for his/her actions while on the lakes. This includes, but is not limited to, property damage caused by collision, excessive wakes, or propeller action, or the personal injury or death of another individual. The LTCA will not assume liability for the independent actions of boat operators under any circumstances.
Children under the age of 14 are not permitted to operate a powerboat unless accompanied by an adult. Beginning May 1, 2010, to comply with NC General Statute 75A-16.2, anyone younger than 26 years of age who is operating a powerboat with a motor of 10 hp or more must have proof of completion of a NC Certified Boating Safety Course or equivalent. You may view the online course a https://www.boat-ed.com/northcarolina/.
Permissible watercraft on Lake Toxaway is limited to new and replacement boats up to 25' LOA, with the exception of the Greystone tour boat. Maximum horsepower for new and replacement engines is 300 HP per inboard boat, and 150 HP per outboard boat.
Prohibited boats and activities on Lake Toxaway include, but are not limited to, jet powered watercraft of any kind, seaplanes, airboats, hovercraft, cabin cruisers, underwater watercraft, houseboats, floating docks, trampolines, kite skiing and aquaplaning, hydrofoils, personal watercraft, boats with discharge toilets, deep “V” (ocean style) hulls, boats designed to create waves or wakes, boats without engine covers, noisy watercraft and noisy operation. Also prohibited is high speed boat operation after 8:00 p.m. or one hour after sunset, whichever occurs first, and before 8:00 a.m.
Boats for use on Lake Cardinal are limited to canoes, rowboats, sailboats, and kayaks whose length shall not exceed 15 feet (LOA). Motor power is restricted to a single electric motor with a maximum of 3 HP. Pontoon, deck, and party boats are not allowed.
There are a few boats on the lakes today that do not meet current regulations. Their existing owners may continue to obtain decals and operate these boats until the boat is re-powered, sold, or ownership of the boat is otherwise transferred.
Boats should generally proceed in a counter-clockwise direction in both basins of Lake Toxaway to reduce the dangers of congestion and head-on traffic. Skiers and tubers should operate more toward the middle while sightseers should keep toward the shore. This general traffic pattern is also intended to reduce the risk of personal injury to swimmers and damage to sea walls. This is especially important during high volume holidays and other congested periods.
Persons skiing or riding devices must wear a Coast Guard approved life preserver and the boat must have an observer on board or a rear view mirror. Operators must stay at least 75 feet away from the dam control valve, and a safe distance away from the work barge, non-power boats, and swimmers.
For safety reasons, water skiing, tubing, or use of other devices on which people can ride through the “cut” and in narrow coves is strongly discouraged. It may also risk citation for reckless operation.
Boat operators must be diligent about staying more than 75' from shore and otherwise not creating damaging wakes. Operators are personally liable for any such damage they cause to the property of others, including seawalls, docks, and boats whether under way, idle, or tied up.
Boat owners/operators must comply with official registration, equipment, and operating regulations as required by NC law. The AlliedBarton Company Police Officer and the NC Wildlife Resources Officer are empowered to issue citations for violations of applicable safe boating laws and ordinances.
Be boat smart. Take a boat handling and safety course, even if you are not required to by NC Law. Make sure your children and grandchildren get properly certified according to NC Law. Contact the LTCA office for further information.
Adherence to boating regulations is everyone's responsibility. To report illegal or unsafe activity, call the AlliedBarton Security officer on duty at 828-989-0508 and request immediate assistance. In an emergency, call 911.
Each property owner is bound and agrees to comply with all the Lake and Boating Regulations set forth above, and any amendments or other modifications approved from time to time by the LTCA Board. The LTCA has the full right and authority to enforce these regulations through injunction and/or other equitable and legal means and to recover all of its costs.
Fishing Rules
Children’s Pond (On Toxaway Drive on the way to Meadow Ridge):. CATCH AND RELEASE ONLY with a single hook (not a treble hook). The pond is stocked once per year with brown and rainbow trout. If the fish are taken then there will be none left to catch. We request that you take a photo rather than a fish.
Toxaway River Trail: CATCH AND RELEASE ONLY with a single hook (not a treble hook). The fish in this Toxaway River headwater are very small (less than 8 inches) wild rainbow and an occasional brook trout. Please take all precautions to avoid harming these fish.
Fishing in the above two locations is reserved for LTCA members in good standing and their guests.
Spillways and Dams: No fishing is permitted from the Lake Toxaway and Lake Cardinal dams and spillways.
Residents of Lake Toxaway Estates do not have the right or permission to allow contractors, subcontractors, or their employees or families to use or fish the lakes and ponds of Lake Toxaway Estates.
No trotlines, abandoned or unattended fishing poles, rods, reels or lines are allowed. There must be a resident or resident’s guest actively fishing and attending to lines in the lake.
Fishing on the lake from a vessel requires that the vessel be properly registered with the LTCA and that current decals be properly placed and legible on the vessel. You will also need to have a NC fishing license.
Catch and release is encouraged on Toxaway Lake.
NC STATE FISHING REGULATIONS: It is the responsibility of each owner to learn and comply with the current NC fishing regulations. For complete information, please visit www.ncwildlife.org.
The LTCA cannot assume any liability for the actions of any fisherman.
Link to safety video - https://vimeo.com/918966294
Bearwise - https://bearwise.org/
