Kern County Municipal Code Art. IV Boating Areas—Special Regulations

A. The Alejandro Canal is established as a special use area, because wave action of boats and water skis would be detrimental to the banks of the canal, currents therein are dangerous, and the banks of the canal are not suitable for escape or for rescue in case of accident, which considerations affect the safety of lives, persons and property.

B. Local regulations, rules and orders are necessary in conjunction with such special use area for all of the reasons aforementioned.

C. It is unlawful to use or operate any boat or water skis in any waters of the Alejandro Canal.

D. It is unlawful to swim in any waters of the Alejandro Canal. Violation of this subsection is an infraction. A person who violates this subsection is also subject to an administrative penalty under Chapter 8.54 of this code.

(Prior code § 5391.4.1)

(Ord. No. G-8815, § 7, 3-19-19)

A. Lake "A" offers opportunities for a variety of recreation opportunities. Originally designated as a primary fishing area, this water body also has developed shoreline amenities such as picnic sites, a swimming lagoon, boat ramp, and a concession building. It offers opportunities for seasonal boating activities beyond those associated primarily with fishing. It is also in the public interest that this lake be managed and maintained in a way which protects important environmental features while accommodating other activities appropriate to providing a high quality recreation experience.

B. Local regulations, rules and orders are necessary in conjunction with such a special use area for the reasons aforementioned.

(Ord. G-6248 § 4, 1995: prior code § 5391.5.1)

A. It is unlawful to operate any motorized watercraft, other than a watercycle, on Lake "A" in excess of five miles per hour.

B. It is unlawful to operate any watercycle on Lake "A" in excess of forty-five (45) miles per hour.

(Ord. G-6248 § 5, 1995: prior code § 5391.5.2)

A. It is unlawful to operate a boat on Lake "A" while towing a waterskier or a person on any kind of device, whether or not it is solid or inflatable.

B. It is unlawful to use or ride any kind of water skis, aquaplane or other similar device, whether solid or inflatable, on Lake "A."

C. Exception. It is possible to tow a disabled boat directly to the nearest boat ramp in the event of a mechanical malfunction.

(Ord. G-6248 § 6, 1995: prior code § 5391.5.3)

A. During the period from May 1st through October 31st of each year, it is unlawful to operate a boat, except for watercycles, on Lake "A" within an exclusive use area described as an area generally north of a line extending from the midpoint of the existing five (5) miles per hour zone at the east boat ramp, to the tip of the island due south of the ramp, and continuing generally west along the south side of all of the other islands in the lake to a point which intersects the lake shore approximately due north of the westernmost island of the lake. Said area will be identified by a line of buoys. It is unlawful to operate a watercycle on Lake "A" except as provided in the preceding sentence. The maximum number of watercycles on Lake "A" shall not exceed thirty-five (35) at any one time. The director shall manage the recreation area so as to limit the maximum number of watercycles to the quantity specified above.

B. All watercycles operating within the designated watercycle area described in subsection (A) of this section shall follow a counterclockwise, lefthand rotation direction traffic pattern, with reference to the area boundary and in a line of travel parallel to said boundary.

(Ord. G-6499 § 2, 1998: Ord. G-6248 § 7, 1995)

It is unlawful to swim in Lake "A." Violation of this section is an infraction. A person who violates this subsection is also subject to an administrative penalty under Chapter 8.54 of this code.

(Prior code § 5391.5.4)

(Ord. No. G-8815, § 7, 3-19-19)

A. Lake "B" is established as a special use area, because of unique design of said lake, the existence of islands therein, special conditions along the shores of said lake and islands, the proximity and location of campgrounds, picnic areas, concessions, docks, launching ramps and parking area, and also because of the combination of activities planned for said lake, including waterskiing, boating and fishing, races and special marine events, which considerations require harmonization of such activities and also affect the safety of lives, persons and property.

B. Local regulations, rules and orders are necessary in conjunction with such special use area for all of the reasons aforementioned.

(Prior code § 5391.6.1)

A. It is unlawful to swim in Lake "B" except in an area which has been designated for swimming. Boundaries for each such swimming area shall be identified and delineated by placement of one (1) or more markers, buoys, or signs or combination thereof.

B. This section shall not be deemed to prohibit waterskiing, nor swimming necessary for waterskiing.

C. Violation of this section is an infraction. A person who violates this subsection is also subject to an administrative penalty under Chapter 8.54 of this code.

(Ord. G-6498 § 2, 1998; prior code § 5391.6.2)

(Ord. No. G-8815, § 7, 3-19-19)

A. All boats on Lake "B" shall be operated in a general traffic pattern which is counterclockwise, that is to say, a left hand rotation direction, with reference to the shoreline and reference to the islands in Lake "B."

B. It is unlawful to operate a boat on Lake "B" in a manner or direction contrary to such general traffic pattern and which tends to interfere with operation of one (1) or more boats or water skiers operating in accordance therewith.

C. It is unlawful to operate a boat, except for watercycles, on Lake "B" north of a line starting at a point seventy-five (75) feet south of the southern extremity of the campground shoreline, and bearing southeast in a straight line to a point at the west end of Canvas Bank Island and continuing southeast and northwest of the two (2) islands to a point one hundred (100) feet northwest of the other end of Lake "B." It is unlawful to operate a watercycle outside this area except for the five (5) mile per hour restricted speed area near the campgrounds and launch areas. All watercycles operating within this area shall follow a counterclockwise, left-hand rotation direction of traffic pattern, with reference to the area boundary and in a line of travel parallel to said boundary and around a center buoy line.

D. Violation of this section is an infraction. Any person who violates this section is also subject to an administrative penalty under Chapter 8.54 of this Code.

(Ord. G-7555 § 2, 2007; Ord. G-6499 § 3, 1998, Ord. G-5173 § 2, 1990; Ord. G-5053 § 2, 1989; prior code § 5391.6.3; Ord. No. G-8921, § 7, 3-31-20)

A. Speeding regulations and speed zones are adopted and established for Lake "B."

B. It is unlawful to operate a boat on Lake "B" in any area within a one hundred (100) foot radius from any fallen skier at any speed more than five (5) miles per hour.

C. It is unlawful to operate a boat on Lake "B" in excess of forty-five (45) miles per hour.

(Prior code § 5391.6.4)

A. The director and all other authorized officers shall enforce the provisions of subdivision (b) of Section 658 of the Harbors and Navigation Code relating to time-of-day restrictions for towing and operation of water skis and aquaplanes on Lake "B."

B. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (A) of this section, by regulations of the board or by orders or rules of the director different hours for towing and operation of water skis and aquaplanes may be provided for the participants in any race, exhibition or other aquatic event.

(Prior code § 5391.6.5)

A. It is unlawful for any person to operate a boat on Lake "B" while towing a waterskier at a distance more than one hundred (100) feet from the towing boat.

B. It is unlawful for any person to cause or permit himself to be towed on water skis on Lake "B" at a distance more than one hundred (100) feet from the towing boat.

(Prior code § 5391.6.6)

A. If a waterskier being towed by a boat on Lake "B" falls into the water, such boat shall promptly turn and pick up the fallen skier by taking him in tow or taking him aboard, allowing for safety of other boats and skiers.

B. It is unlawful for any person who has been operating a boat towing a skier when such skier falls into the water to fail to promptly pick up such fallen skier as required by this section.

C. This section does not apply in case a skier releases his towline and lands on a ski beach.

D. This section shall not apply in case a skier is picked up by a different boat, not as a result of failure of the towing boat to promptly conform to this section.

(Prior code § 5391.6.7)

Any prohibition contained in Sections 13.48.300 through 13.48.360 of this article may be suspended by regulations of the board or by orders or rules or the director in connection with any race, exhibition or other aquatic event.

(Prior code § 5391.6.8)

The maximum number of boats, not including watercycles, on Lake "B" shall not exceed three hundred (300). The maximum number of watercycles within the exclusive watercycle use area shall not exceed one hundred seventy-four (174). The director shall manage the recreation area so as to limit the maximum number of boats to the quantities specified above.

(Ord. G-5173 § 3, 1990: Ord. G-5053 § 3, 1989)

(Ord. No. G-7813, § 2, 12-16-08)