Boating Safety

Boating is a popular activity, but it can also be a dangerous one. Note these facts:

• Nationwide, nearly 1,000 people die in boating accidents every year.
   
• Fifty percent of all boating fatalities involved alcohol, according to estimates of experts.

Common sense and adherence to boating and water safety laws and rules will reduce accidents.

• Don’t operate a boat while drinking alcohol or using drugs.
• Learn to swim and learn basic water rescue techniques.
• Always wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved flotation device.
• Don’t water ski or jet ski in a manner that endangers other lake users. Boaters, watch for scuba divers and skiers.
• Confine jet skiing and water skiing to daylight hours.
• Children should not operate any personal water craft.
• Do not allow anyone to ride on decks or gunwales.
• Avoid excessive speed, especially in congested areas.
• Be aware of underwater hazards such as submerged logs, stumps, and rocks.
• Watch your children. Beaches are unguarded, and there may be sharp dropoffs near shore.
• Dive only in familiar areas, and check water depth before diving.
• Avoid dams. Water flowing over dams can create a current capable of drawing boats into the face of the dam and holding them under water. Avoid dam spillways during high water.
• Learn all navigation rules AND Florida boating laws and LIVE by them.
• Keep your boat in proper working order, and make sure it meets all equipment guidelines established by Florida boating laws. Carry the following:

  • Personal flotation device
  • Paddle
  • Towline
  • Emergency radio
  • Bailing device
  • Whistle or horn
  • Fire extinguisher
  • First aid kit
  • Flares

Rules & Regulations

We want your visit to the lake to be pleasant and safe. Please help by observing the following:

• Do not camp within 300 feet of the waters’ edge except at designated camping sites.
• Do not camp within 300 feet of any road or trail leading to the waters’ edge except at designated camping sites.
• Do not swim or recreate within 100 feet of any boat launching or courtesy boat dock.
• Do not fish from any boat ramp or courtesy dock.
• Do not possess or operate a motorboat or other watercraft within an area designated "NO BOATS."
• Do not operate any watercraft in excess of idle speed in areas posted "NO WAKE" or "IDLE SPEED."
• Do not water ski or sled within areas designated as "NO SKIING" or "NO SLEDDING."
• Do not water ski after sundown or before sunrise.
• Do not store or leave watercraft unattended overnight at a location not designated for overnight boat storage.
• Do not launch a motor boat at a site not designated for boat launching.
• Do not use steel drums or barrels as floating devices for powerboats.
• Do not possess or operate a motorboat equipped with conventional plumbing without a sealed sewage holding system or tank.