Mountain Lakes Ranch (MLR) opened in 1999 or so and covers about 4,000 acres and originally had ~1,250 lots for sale. All lots have been sold by the developer and the POA was established about 2008 when the developer completed the major activities. We currently have ~950 owners due to lot consolidations and owners with multiple lots. The POA controls the 94acre Beacon Lake, the 45 acre lake known as Anglers Cove, the RV Park and storage facility, the clubhouse at the main entrance, a park with track and exercise equipment known as Skyline Park, the pool and park at Beacon Lake Park and the land behind each lake dam. Both lakes have ramps to launch boats and docks. All the property surrounding the lakes is private property except for the park areas where adequate parking and facilities are located. Owners have access by water but not to walk around the edge of the lake. MLR also has three much smaller “private lakes” that are only accessible by the owners that own property that touch them.Beacon Lake has some good fish but Anglers Cove is the lake with the most fish. The biologist told us we need more fish out of the lake to improve the health. Owners are allowed to keep 5 species of each fish per day from Anglers Cove (catfish, bass & crappie), and no limit at Beacon Lake at this time. Re-stocking has not been needed and has not been discussed. Owners are allowed to bring one guest fishing per trip, excluding family members. Several retired men fish the lakes regularly but don’t keep many fish. Anglers Cove has a 10 hp motor maximum. Ski boats and jet skis are allowed on Beacon Lake in addition to non- motorized boats which are allowed on both lakes.
The covenants for Mountain Lakes Ranch (MLR) were not intended for rural developments but require 66.6% approval by all owners. They contain several items that our many owners would love to see changed such as no barbed wire used for fences, no fowl (chickens) may be raised, and dues are set at $295 per year per lot for the first two lots then all additional lots are not charged a fee. If two or more lots are re-platted into one, the annual assessment is reduced to a single $295 from the $590 amount.
Owners are limited to four adult dogs. Since the roads are NOT the responsibility of the POA we don’t spend assessments to maintain them. Knowing about other POAs and HOAs in our area that maintain their roads, this is great for MLR. All lots have power, phone and water already installed at the street. Bluff Dale has a volunteer fire department with some nice modern equipment. We currently have 16 members on the department and answer about 75 calls per year, mostly grass fires and vehicle accidents. Erath Co has several ambulances that are dispatched out of Stephenville and the Erath Co Fire Department is the largest mutual aid department for Bluff Dale. Most counties in central Texas are currently under a burn ban so only fires in containers are allowed. Tax values are controlled by Erath Co Appraisal District.
The POA is financially stable and we have established a replacement fund for all assets. Our past due rate has been as high as 40% during the poor economy of 2009 but currently is less than 10%. Many of our owners have probably never seen their property or not since they purchased it because we have owners across the country and a few international. This makes any change to the covenants very difficult. The POA has invested in some rental items to help replace the loss of assessments as a result of lot consolidation.
TV Star and professional fisherman Jimmy Houston designed both lakes.
Anglers Cove has too high of a population and more fish need to be caught and not released. Beacon Lake has good fishing also and the fish appear to be bigger than Anglers Cove.
Of course, Beacon Lake is a “No Wake” lake currently and always a No Anchor Lake.