Powers Lake District

Boating And Lake Rules Summary

Print this page

Wisconsin law governs the use of our lakes. Public LawPUBL-LE-301 2008 sets forth rules which we summarize here. Another good reference is the booklet of Wisconsin Boating Regulations supplied with your boat registration, or at http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/es/enforcement/safety/boated.htm.

HOURS AND SPEED LIMITS

Sunset to 10:00a.m. is always Slow-No-Wake.
The speed limit is always Slow-No-Wake within 200 feet of the shoreline.
The speed limit is always Slow-No-Wake within 100 feet of any other boat, marked swim area, raft, pier, buoyed area, or skin diver’s flag.

GENERAL MOTORBOAT OPERATION

The TRAFFIC LANE includes all waters of Powers Lake greater than 200 feet from the shoreline or as posted by navigation aids or identifying buoys.
Operating a motorboat repeatedly in a circuitous course within 200 feet around any other watercraft or person swimming is prohibited.
All boats operating from sunset to sunrise or when weather conditions require must use required lights.
Navigation lights must be on from sunset to sunrise, and during periods of restricted visibility.
Combination or side lights must be visible for one mile. Combination or side lights must shine red to port (left side) and green to starboard (right side).
All non-motorized watercraft whether underway or at anchor must carry a white lantern or flashlight. This light should be strong enough so that other boats can see it from around the horizon at a distance of two miles or more.

AGE RESTRICTIONS (MOTORBOATS & PWCS)

Who May Operate a Motorized Vessel

No one under the age of 10 may operate a motorboat.
No one under the age of 12 may operate a personal watercraft (PWC).
No one under the age of 16 may rent or lease a PWC.
Individuals who are required to complete a boater safety course before operating a vessel must carry the course certificate on board the vessel.

NEW LAW:

The Wisconsin Legislature has recently passed a Mandatory Boating Education bill. This bill requires anyone born on or after 1-1-1989 and at least 16 years of age to have a boating safety education certificate to operate a motorboat on Wisconsin’s waterways. If you need a boating safety class see www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/es/enforcement/safety/upcoming.htm for a list of upcoming classes or call 1-888-936-7463.

Operate with an Adult

A person who is at least 10 but less than 16 years old may operate a motorboat if accompanied by a parent, a guardian, or a person at least 18 years old designated by the parent or guardian.
If the accompanying person was born on or after 1-1-1989 they must have successfully completed a DNR prescribed Boating Safety Course and possess a safety certificate issued by the Department, another state, or Canadian Province.
The operator of every boat must supply the required number and type of approved Personal Flotation Devices.
All PFD’s must be readily accessible and wearable Personal Flotation Devices must be the proper size for the intended wearer.
Federal regulations now require that children under 13 years of age (that are not in a cabin or below deck) must wear a PFD on all recreational boats while underway.

WATER SKIING

Applies to all watercraft towing a person on water skis, aquaplanes, tubes, or similar devices.

Tow boat must have a driver and a competent observer on board.
Prohibited before 10:00a.m. and after sunset.
Prohibited at all times within 200 feet from shore.
Prohibited within 100 feet of any swim area, raft, pier, buoyed area, PWC, skin diver’s flag or any occupied, anchored boat.
Must operate in a counter-clockwise pattern in the TRAFFIC LANE.
Persons being towed shall wear a USCG approved PFD.
No more than 2 tow lines per boat; no more than one person per tow line for water-skiing or similar sport.
Tow lines may not exceed 100 feet.

PARASAILING OR PARAGLIDING

Prohibited without a special permit.

PERSONAL WATERCRAFT (PWC)

Jet skis, Wave Runners, or any type of personal watercraft must adhere to the same rules as other watercraft plus the following:

All persons riding a PWC must wear a USCG approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD).
May never be operated within 100 feet of a boat, person or tow rope of a motorboat engaged in towing a person on water-skis, aquaplanes, etc.
Must operate at Slow-No-Wake within 100 feet of any other boat or PWC.
May never be operated between sunset and sunrise
May never be operated by persons under 12 years old (rental age is 16)
Persons 12-16 must have a Safe Boating Certificate.
Must be designed to seat 3 people to allow towing a person on water-skis, aquaplane, tube or similar device.

SWIMMING

Swimming is permitted more than 200 feet from shore from sunrise to sunset if it is:

Within 25 feet of a manned unanchored boat, or,
Within 50 feet of a manned anchored boat.

Swimming is prohibited:

More than 100 feet from shore or more than 50 feet from any pier, raft or wharf, unless within marked authorized swim areas.
From unmanned, unanchored boats.
More than 200 feet from shore during the hours from sunset to sunrise.

MARKING BUOYS

It is unlawful to tamper with, move, or anchor to any marking buoys.

SHALLOW SHOAL AREAS – DANGER

See map and buoy diagrams on display at launch sites.

Rock bar buoys on the western portion of the lake.
Buoys off 396 th Ave., Bayview Park Launch.
Buoys near NW shore of the lake.
Stryker’s Point
Jefferson Bay Point

HIGH WATER

No wake restrictions will be posted when necessary.

a 400 foot Slow-No-Wake lane around the entire lake.
The first level of restriction will be all of Jefferson Bay as Slow-No-Wake.
The second level of restriction will be a 400 foot Slow-No-Wake lane around the entire lake.

PIERS, RAFTS, AND MOORING BUOYS

All piers, rafts, mooring buoys, and any watercraft attached to them must be within the riparian zone of their property owner. Permits are required for all piers, rafts, and mooring buoys.

Piers may not exceed 100 feet in length
Piers must be 12.5 feet from the property line and the riparian line unless existing without change prior to 1993.
Rafts must be located within 100 feet of the shoreline.
Mooring buoys must be located within 150 feet of the shoreline.
For more information, visit: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/fhp/waterway/piers.html

It is unlawful:

To operate a motorboat or use water skis, aquaplane or similar device while under the influence of an intoxicant or a controlled substance or with a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or higher.