NO WAKE ZONE FOR LAKE MENDOTA DURING RHYTHM & BOOMS

June 25, 2002
Sharyn Wisniewski, 267-8823
County Executive

Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, County Board Chair Kevin Kesterson, and Sheriff Gary Hamblin issued a Slow No Wake order for Lake Mendota for the Rhythm & Booms fireworks display. The order will cover only Lake Mendota and will be in effect from sunset (8:41 p.m.) to midnight on Saturday evening, June 29, 2002. In issuing the order, the three officials noted that Rhythm & Booms causes a huge increase in boating on Lake Mendota, most of which occurs after dark. The congestion and low visibility creates hazardous boating situations. The “slow no wake” zone will create safer conditions for the boating public. The three officials said: “Rhythm & Booms is wonderful family entertainment for our community. As we did last year, we’re making Lake Mendota a no-wake zone for a few hours to make the event as safe as possible.” As another convenience for boaters using the lakes during Rhythm & Booms, the officials also announced that the Tenney Park locks’ hours of operation will be extended to 12:00 midnight. Boaters will not have to rush to reach the locks after the fireworks display. When the order expires, the normal 200 foot no-wake zone will be in effect for the Madison lakes. # # # See Order below. DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY SLOW NO WAKE ZONE ON LAKE MENDOTA FROM SUNSET TO MIDNIGHT ON JUNE 29, 2002 The annual Rhythm and Booms fireworks display will be held the evening of June 29, 2002, at Warner Park. This event attracts thousands of boaters to Lake Mendota. This dramatic increase in boat traffic causes congestion on the entire surface of Lake Mendota to that extent that operation of watercraft in excess of slow-no-wake speed is hazardous and poses a threat to life and property. This hazard increases with decreased visibility after sunset. Section 72.08(3)(a) of the Dane County Code of Ordinances authorizes the County Executive, with the approval of the Sheriff and the County Board Chair to declare all or any portion of the surface area of Lakes Mendota, Monona, Waubesa and Kegonsa as a slow-no-wake zone during hazardous circumstances posing a threat to life or property. The anticipated high boat traffic on Lake Mendota the evening of June 29, 2002, poses a threat to life or property if a slow-now-wake zone is not imposed. The County of Dane hereby declares the entire surface of Lake Mendota to be a slow-no-wake zone from sunset to midnight, June 29, 2002, pursuant to section 72.08(3)(a) of the Dane County Code of Ordinances. Therefore, no person shall operate a motorized watercraft faster than slow-no-wake speed on the entire surface of Lake Mendota during that time period. Slow-no-wake speed is defined as the minimum speed at which a motorized watercraft is able to move and maintain adequate steerage control. Violation of the slow-no-wake restriction is subject to punishment by citation and forfeiture. Dated this 24th day of June, 2002. ______________________ Kathleen M. Falk Dane County Executive ______________________ Gary Hamblin Dane County Sheriff ______________________ Kevin R. Kesterson Chair, Dane County Board