Page 18 - Experience Oregon Boating Handbook

Boating Regulations

Personal Watercraft Personal Watercraft (PWC) Access

Owners/operators of personal watercraft Lakes and reservoir impoundments on Oregon rivers are open to PWC subject to local
must: (OAR 250-021-0030) operating rules in OAR Ch. 250, Div. 20. For closures and other restrictions on PWC use,
see specific rivers in the waterway directory of this book.
• wear, and have passengers wear, U.S. Coast
Guard-approved, inherently buoyant Type I, Th e following table lists which rivers and river sections are open to personal watercraft use.
II or III personal flotation device (PFD). All other rivers not listed are closed to PWC. (OAR 250-021-0040)

• attach lanyard-type cutoff switch, if Rivers Section of River Open — Subject to Local Operating Rules
equipped by manufacturer, to person, Downstream from Hatchery Creek (approx. RM 12).
clothing or PFD. Alsea Below the head of tide.
Chetco From the river mouth to Clackamette Lake (RM 0.7).
• effectively muffle craft. Clackamas Entire river.
• equip craft with required lights to operate Columbia Below its confluence with the Millicoma River.
Coos Downstream from the Hwy 42 S bridge at the City of Coquille.
between sunset and sunrise. Coquille Between Heritage Landing boat ramp (RM 0.5) and the Columbia River.
• operate craft in reasonable, prudent Deschutes (Sherman/Gilliam County) below Tumwater Falls (RM 10).
John Day Downstream from the Parks boat ramp at Hwy 101 bridge. Speed limit.
manner. Unsafe or reckless maneuvers Kilchis Downstream from the Hwy 101 bridge. Speed limit.
endangering people/property include Miami Below Allegany.
weaving through congested boat traffic, Millicoma Entire river, subject to Slow-no wake max. 5 mph speed limit.
jumping wake unreasonably close to Necanicum Below Aldervale.
another boat or when its operator’s vision N Fork Nehalem Between Gold Ray Dam (former site) and the Applegate River; below the mouth
is obstructed, swerving to avoid collision Rogue of Snout Creek (near Agness).
at the last moment. Allowances made for From the mouth of Peterson Creek (RM 10.3) to Nehalem River Falls
participants in professional exhibitions and S Fork Nehalem (RM 15.7), closed September 1 through March 30.
officially sanctioned events. Downstream of RM 3
• operate craft no closer than 200’behind Salmon Downstream from the Morgan’s Park boat ramp.
water skier or other towed devices. Siletz Downstream from the Hwy 126 bridge at Mapleton.
• not tow a water skier or any floating device Siuslaw Above Hells Canyon Dam.
with PWC unless another person on the Snake Downstream from the Hwy 101 bridge. Speed limit.
PWC continuously observes person being Trask Downstream from Scottsburg Park.
towed, and PWC is large enough to carry Umpqua Downstream from Sollie Smith boat ramp. Speed limit.
operator, observer, and person being Wilson Downstream from the Beltline Road overpass at RM 178 in
towed. Willamette Eugene. (Note: The McKenzie, Molalla, Santiam, Tualatin, Yamhill and all
• observe Slow-no wake, maximum 5 mph (main stem) other Willamette tributaries are closed to PWC.)
speed limit: Downstream from the Toledo Airport boat ramp (RM 9).
-within 200’of a swimmer, surfer, diving Yaquina
flag, bank or wading angler; dock, swim
float, ramp, pier, marina, floating home, or
boathouse;
-within 100’of any anchored or non-
motorized vessel;
-within 200’of shoreline on all lakes,
reservoirs, and bays,“safe”take-off
excepted.
• not operate in excess of 10 MPH when
approaching within 100’of a motorized or
sail vessel underway.
• not chase, harass, or disturb wildlife with
PWC. This is strictly prohibited.
Operation of craft by persons under age of
16 unless accompanied by a boater education
card-holding person 18 or over on board, or
rental to persons under 18 is prohibited.
Inflatable PFD’s are not approved for PWC
operator use.
Personal watercraft liveries must: not rent
to persons under 18; provide only either
Type I or III inherently buoyant U.S. Coast
Guard-approved life jackets; provide safe
operation information, giving each renter a
written copy of state PWC rules and placing
a safe operation decal on each craft; sign and
have renter sign the copy of the rules, with
renter carrying copy on board as required
equipment.

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