Chapter 6 — WATER VEHICLE SPEED AND WAKE RESTRICTIONS ON LAKE HAVASU

Section

• 52.0505 Definitions.
• 52.0506 Speed Limits on Lake Havasu.
• 52.0507 Penalty.

For the purposes of this Chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning. BOAT OR OTHER VESSEL. A boat, ship, personal water craft, or other device, craft or vehicle designed to be used in, on, and/or under water, however powered. BOATERS. Persons operating a boat, ship, personal water craft, or other device, craft or vehicle designed to be used in, on, and/or under water, however powered. NO WAKE ZONES. No wave of water generated or increased by a moving boat or other vessel which strikes the shore, a levee, anchored vessel or moored vessel which is made fast to a way or landing float, shall show a white water break. “No wake” buoys shall be clearly marked and placed in a manner which will make one or more of them plainly visible to boaters approaching the “no wake zone” anywhere along its entire circumference. SPEED ZONE. In areas where speed limits are established, as used in this Chapter, a SPEED ZONE means that a maximum speed limit is prescribed and posted for boats and other vessels within a circumscribed space of water ringed by marked buoys. Speed limit buoys shall be clearly marked and placed in a manner which will make one or more of them plainly visible to boaters approaching the “speed zone” anywhere along its entire circumference. WHITE WATER BREAK. A broken wave topped by distinctive white froth, caused by a moving boat or other vessel creating enough turbulence through propulsion that a vee-shaped pattern is formed on the surface of the water that curls until the resultant wave forms a crest and breaks. (Ord. 2926, passed - -1985; Am. Ord. 3019, passed - -1986; Am. Ord. 3628, passed - -)

(a) Copper Canyon. (1) No person shall operate a boat or other vessel at greater than “no wake” speed or above five miles per hour in areas designated “no wake zones” in the cove area of the Colorado River commonly referred to as Copper Canyon, which is part of Lake Havasu and is within the area described as follows: The northernmost edge of this cove is located at: Latitude: North 34 degrees, 25 minutes, 40 seconds Longitude: West 114 degrees, 18 minutes, 30 seconds. The southernmost edge of this cove is located at: Latitude: North 34 degrees, 25 minutes, .380 seconds Longitude: West 114 degrees, 18 minutes, .230 seconds. (2) “No wake” and “speed zone” buoys shall be clearly marked and placed in a manner which will make one or more of them plainly visible to boaters approaching Copper Canyon anywhere along the entire waterway opening leading into this cove. (b) Black Meadow Landing Marina. (1) No person shall operate a boat or other vessel at greater than “no wake” speed or above five miles per hour in areas designated “no wake zones” in the cove area of the Colorado River commonly referred to as Black Meadow Landing Marina, which is part of Lake Havasu, and is within the area described as follows: The northernmost edge of this cove is located at: Longitude: North 34 degrees, 21 minutes, 27 seconds Latitude: West 114 degrees, 11 minutes, 68 seconds. The southernmost edge of this cove is located at: Longitude: North 34 degrees, 21 minutes, 23 seconds Latitude: West 114 degrees, 11 minutes, 54 seconds. (2) “No wake” and “speed zone” buoys shall be clearly marked and placed in a manner which will make one or more of them plainly visible to boaters approaching Black Meadow Landing Marina anywhere along the entire waterway opening leading into this cove. (c) Havasu Palms Marina. (1) No person shall operate a boat or other vessel at greater than “no wake” speed or above five miles per hour in areas designated “no wake zones” in the cove area of the Colorado River commonly referred to as Havasu Palms Marina, which is part of Lake Havasu and is within the area described as follows: The northernmost edge of this cove is located at: Latitude: North 34 degrees, 23 minutes, 98 seconds Longitude: West 114 degrees, 16 minutes, 86 seconds. The southernmost edge of this cove is located at: Latitude: North 34 degrees, 24 minutes, 05 seconds Longitude: West 114 degrees, 16 minutes, 80 seconds. (2) “No wake” and “speed zone” buoys shall be clearly marked and placed in a manner which will make one or more of them plainly visible to boaters approaching Havasu Palms Marina anywhere along the entire waterway opening leading into this cove. (d) Unnamed Cove Located Seven/Tenths of a Mile North of Havasu Palms Marina and Three/Tenths of a Mile Southwest of Pilot Rock. (1) No person shall operate a boat or other vessel at greater than “no wake” speed or above five miles per hour in areas designated “no wake zones” in the unnamed cove area of the Colorado River that is located seven-tenths of a mile north of Havasu Palms and three-tenths of a mile southwest of Pilot Rock, which is part of Lake Havasu, and is within the area described as follows: The northernmost edge of this cove is located at: Longitude: North 34 degrees, 24 minutes, 51 seconds. Latitude: West 114 degrees, 17 minutes, 57 seconds. The southernmost edge of this cove is located at: Longitude: North 34 degrees, 24 minutes, 22 seconds Latitude: West 114 degrees, 17 minutes, 37 seconds. (2) “No wake” and “speed zone” buoys shall be clearly marked and placed in a manner which will make one or more of them plainly visible to boaters approaching the unnamed cove located seven-tenths of a mile north of Havasu Palms Marina and three-tenths of a mile southwest of Pilot Rock anywhere along the entire waterway opening leading into this cove. (e) Other Designated “No Wake Zones” and “Speed Zones” on Lake Havasu. (1) In addition to the restrictions set forth in Subdivisions (a) through (d) above, on that portion of the Colorado River within the County’s jurisdiction and commonly referred to as Lake Havasu, it shall be unlawful to operate a boat or other vessel in violation of marked “no wake zones” and “speed zones.” Such zones may be designated by the Sheriff to promote public safety and to reduce the hazards presented by conflicting uses on the Colorado River by the boating public. (2) All designated “no wake zones” and “speed zones” on Lake Havasu shall be clearly marked by buoys placed in a manner which will make one or more of them plainly visible to boaters approaching a designated “no wake zone.” (Ord. 2926, passed - -1985; Am. Ord. 3019, passed - -1986; Am. Ord. 3628, passed - -)

A violation of this Chapter shall be an infraction, punishable as provided by the State of California Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedules for boating offenses, pursuant to Rule 850 of the California Rules of Court. (Ord. 2926, passed - -1985; Am. Ord. 3019, passed - -1986; Am. Ord. 3628, passed - -)