[HISTORY: Adopted by the Common Council of the City of Watertown
by Ord. No. 69-15 (§ 7.16 of the former City Code); amended by Ord. No. 98-14; Ord. No. 98-26. Subsequent
amendments noted where applicable.]
The intent of this chapter is to provide safe and healthful
conditions for navigation and the enjoyment of aquatic recreation
and riparian beauty on the Rock River and Silver Creek consistent
with public rights and interests and the capability of the water resources.
The Common Council finds that during high-water conditions any wake
on the Rock River or Silver Creek causes the shoreline to erode and
silt to build up faster than would happen under natural conditions.
The Common Council also finds that personal watercraft, when operating
at greater than "slow-no-wake" speeds, create a greater wake closer
to the shoreline than other watercraft, are louder and more maneuverable
than other watercraft, and are more hazardous to users of the water
resources and shore area wildlife than other watercraft. For these
and other reasons, it is in the interest of public health, safety
and welfare that the City of Watertown adopts this chapter.
State boating laws as found in §§ 30.50 to 30.71,
Wis. Stats., inclusive, with the exception of those sections for which
a violation is a crime, are incorporated herein and hereby adopted
by reference, including all changes and amendments hereafter made
thereto.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Any situation existing in the City of Watertown where the
water level of the Rock River, as measured on the gauge at the Oconomowoc
Avenue Bridge, is 821 feet above sea level or, as measured on the
gauge at the Cady Street Bridge, is 809 feet above sea level.
Has the same meaning contained in § 30.50, Wis.
Stats., as amended from time to time.
Has the same meaning contained in § 30.50, Wisconsin
Statutes, as amended from time to time.
That speed at which a motorboat or personal watercraft moves
as slowly as possible through the water while still maintaining steerage
control.
Except as applied to individuals or organizations that have
obtained a permit from the City of Watertown to perform aquatic entertainment,
such as water ski shows, and except as applied to officers of the
City of Watertown Police Department and the State of Wisconsin Department
of Natural Resources, acting in their official capacity, the following
acts are prohibited:
A.
No person shall, at any time, operate a motorboat or personal watercraft
in the waters of the Rock River from the east City limits to the lower
dam in the City of Watertown during high-water conditions in other
than a "slow-no-wake" manner.
B.
No person shall, at any time, operate a personal watercraft in the
waters of the Rock River between the east City limits and the lower
dam in other than a "slow-no-wake" manner.
C.
No person shall, at any time, operate a motorboat in the waters of
the Rock River between the east City limits and the lower dam at a
speed in excess of 25 miles per hour.
A.
The City of Watertown shall place and maintain a copy of this chapter
at all public access point within the jurisdiction of the City of
Watertown.
B.
During high-water conditions, "Slow-No-Wake" signs shall be displayed
at all public access points and noticed in the Watertown Daily Times
and on WTTN Radio station.
C.
The City of Watertown shall place a twenty-five-mile-per-hour speed
limit sign at each public access point within the jurisdiction of
the City of Watertown.
D.
The City of Watertown shall place "Slow-No-Wake" signs specifically
applicable to personal watercraft at all public access points.
Wisconsin state boating penalties as found in § 30.80,
Wis. Stats., and deposits as established in the Uniform Deposit and
Bail Schedule as established by the Wisconsin Judicial Conference,
and as amended from time to time, are hereby adopted by reference,
with all references to fines amended to forfeitures and all references
to imprisonment deleted.
