The water temp is going up, and we're heading into prime boating season. Please remember to be courteous and respectful of fellow boaters and others enjoying the lake. A few boating regulations and reminders to pass along:
Boats must maintain a distance of 30 yards from shorelines, docks and other watercraft. The lake contains over 985,000 acre feet of water to spread out and enjoy.
It is unlawful to wake jump with a motorized vessel within 50 yards of another craft.
Swimmers have the right of way at all times over all vessels.
Swimming or bathing is prohibited in any marinas or within 20 yards of launching, mooring or docking areas.
Boats must not follow a skier closer than 200 feet.
Boats must stay at least 150 feet away from areas with diver down flags.
Operating a motorboat with a blood alcohol content of .08% or greater constitutes Boating Under the Influence (BUI) and carries a penalty of up to $1,000 fine, up to six months in jail and the loss of boating privileges for six months. Refusal to submit to a chemical blood alcohol text will result in the same penalties as BUI.
Personal watercraft cannot under any circumstances be operated from sunset to sunrise.
Operation of vessels is prohibited within an area marked off or set aside as a prohibited area.
No child under 13 is allowed aboard any vessel when not wearing a Coast Guard-approved life preserver except when hunting waterfowl in an anchored boat. Operators shall be held responsible.
No one under 14 shall operate motorboats of any class at any time. Owners shall be held responsible.
Nebraska law requires any motorboat operator (including personal watercraft) born after 12/31/1985 to complete a Boating Safety Course and be in possession of a course certificate when operating the boat.
Find more boating information here: https://outdoornebraska.gov/.../go.../boating-regulations/