[Adopted 12-15-2009 by Ord. No. 1054 as Title 7, Ch. 8, of the 2009 Code
of Ordinances]
The intent of this article is to provide safe and healthful
conditions for the enjoyment of aquatic recreation consistent with
public rights and interest and the capability of the water resource.
The provisions of this article shall apply to the waters of
Rock Lake. The provisions of this article shall be enforced by the
officers of Jefferson County, the Town of Lake Mills, and the City
of Lake Mills.
State boating laws as found in §§ 30.50 to 30.71,
Wis. Stats., are adopted by reference.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Any boat equipped with propulsion machinery, whether or not
the machinery is the principal source of propulsion.
When used with reference to a motorboat, boat, or vessel,
means to navigate or otherwise employ.
Controlling the speed or direction of a motorboat, except
a sailboat operating under sail alone.
That speed at which a motorboat moves as slowly as possible
while still maintaining steerage control.
A motorboat towing a person using water skis, an aquaplane,
or similar device.
A.
No person shall operate a motorboat in excess of slow - no wake at
any time from sunset until sunrise.
B.
No person shall operate a motorboat above slow - no wake while operating
on the following portions of Rock Lake:
C.
These areas of Rock Lake shall be delineated by the placement of
regulatory buoys, which shall be removed from Rock Lake by November
1 and may not be placed in Rock Lake before April 1 annually.
D.
The Town of Lake Mills may authorize the placing and removal of regulatory
buoys by an association, political subdivision, individual citizens,
or a combination thereof. No regulatory buoys may be placed, other
than those authorized by the Town of Lake Mills, in compliance with
the Official Map approved by the Town of Lake Mills, the City of Lake
Mills, and the Department of Natural Resources.
A.
No person shall swim from an unoccupied boat.
B.
No person shall swim more than 150 feet from the shore unless he
or she is within a designated swimming area or he or she is accompanied
by a boat manned by a competent person.
C.
No person shall swim more than 150 feet from the shore between sunset
and sunrise.
A.
No person shall operate a motorboat towing a person or persons on
water skis, aquaplane or similar device, nor shall any person engage
in waterskiing, aquaplaning, or similar activity between the hours
of 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m.
B.
No person shall engage in waterskiing, aquaplaning, or similar activity
without wearing a United States Coast Guard approved type I, II, or
III flotation device. No operator shall allow any person to water-ski,
aquaplane, or similar activity who is not wearing personal flotation
gear equipment of the aforementioned type.
A swimming raft means a flotation platform without railings,
roof, or walls that is adequately anchored to the bed of navigable
waters and is designed for swimming. A riparian owner on Rock Lake
may place and maintain a swimming raft or platform adjacent to their
land. No riparian owner shall place or maintain any swimming raft
or platform more than 150 feet from the shore. No riparian owner shall
place or maintain any raft within the one-hundred-fifty-foot line
unless it is so anchored that it has at least six inches of freeboard
above the waterline, painted white, and has attached thereto not less
than 12 inches from each corner or projection a red reflector not
less than three inches in diameter. No more than one swimming raft
per riparian landowner's lot is permitted. A swimming raft may not
exceed 100 square feet in size and shall not include any construction
above the level of the deck, except that a single diving board more
or less at deck level is permissible. A swimming raft may not interfere
with the public rights nor interfere with the rights of the adjacent
riparian owner. All flotation devices for swimming rafts shall be
free of any product, residue, or pollutant, and they may not include
any container previously used to store toxic or hazardous materials
as defined in § NR 661.03, Wis. Adm. Code. A swimming raft
shall be set back at least 10 feet from the adjacent riparian owner's
extended lot line. A swimming raft shall be removed from Rock Lake
by November 1 and may not be placed before April 1 annually. The City
of Lake Mills shall be exempt from the maximum size requirement and
placement of swimming rafts.
A.
Permit required. No person shall direct or participate in any boat
race, regatta, water ski meet or other water sporting event or exhibition
unless such event has been authorized by the Lake Mills Town Board.
B.
Permit. A permit issued under this section shall specify the course
or area of water to be used by participants in such event and the
permittee shall be required to place markers, flags, or buoys designating
the specified area. Permits shall be issued only if in the opinion
of the Lake Mills Town Board the proposed use of the water can be
carried out safely and without danger to or substantial obstruction
of other watercraft or persons using the lake. Permits shall be valid
only for the hours and areas specified thereon.
C.
Right-of-way to participants. Boats and participants in any such
permitted event have the right-of-way on the marked area and no other
person shall obstruct such area during the race or event or interfere
therewith.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
The State of Wisconsin Revised Uniform Deposit and Bail Schedule
for Boating Violations is hereby incorporated by reference. Any person
violating any provisions of this article not covered under the Revised
Uniform Deposit and Bail Schedule for boating violations shall forfeit
not more than $50 for the first offense and shall forfeit not more
than $100 upon the conviction of the same offense a second or subsequent
time within one year. In addition, said persons shall also be responsible
for any costs of prosecution.
Each day in which a violation of any of the sections or requirements
of this article exists shall constitute a separate offense.
All ordinances regulating water traffic, boating and water sports
upon the waters of Rock Lake and buoys in the City of Lake Mills,
Jefferson County, Wisconsin, heretofore enacted by the City Council
of the City of Lake Mills are hereby repealed.
This article shall be in effect after passage and publication
with the exception of § 496-31Swimming rafts, which shall
go into effect commencing March 1 of the year following the passage
and publication of this article.
