Chapter 9.36 — WATER SPORTS

It is unlawful for any person to drive or operate or propel any motor power driven boat, or other water vehicle of any nature in excess of five miles per hour upon the waters of the Los Banos Creek Retention Reservoir in Merced County. Manually operated row boats, canoes, sleds, and bicycle vehicles shall be permissible.

Notwithstanding the above, the board of supervisors may issue special permits for marine events, including fishing derbies, and waive the five-mile-per-hour speed limit for the participants of the event; providing, however, that in no case shall the five-mile-per-hour speed limit be waived in the areas as follows:

• A. Within 100 feet of any person who is engaged in the act of bathing. A person engaged in the sport of water skiing shall not be considered as engaged in the act of bathing for the purposes of this section.

• B. Within 200 feet of any:

  1. Beach frequented by bathers.

  2. Swimming float, diving platform, or lifeline.

  3. Way or landing float to which boats are made fast or which is being used for the embarkation or discharge of passengers.

• (Ord. 535, 1966; Ord. 564, 1967; Ord. 1234, 1987)

It is a misdemeanor for any person to engage in, or participate in water skiing, surf-board riding, power boating, or towing of any object by motor vehicle or other powered vehicle or craft, in, upon, over, or along any irrigation ditch, canal, waterway, or watercourse, in Merced County, excepting lakes, ponds, reservoirs and natural rivers. Nothing in this section shall apply to such activities in, upon, over or along private ditches, canals, waterways or watercourses which occur with the express consent of the owner thereof. Violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine of not to exceed more than $500 and/or imprisonment in the County Jail not to exceed six months.

(Ord. 527, 1965)

Any person, firm or corporation who violates any provisions of Section 9.36.010 is subject to the penalties set forth in Chapter 1.28.

(Ord. 535, 1966; Ord. 856, 1977)