Section 2030.10  General Regulations

 

a)         All waters designated as Restricted Boating Areas shall be posted in accordance with the United States Coast Guard's U.S. Aids to Navigation System, contained in 33 CFR 62, Subpart 62.1, except as provided in subsections (b) and (c).

 

b)         The use of regulatory markers prescribed by the U.S. Aids to Navigation System shall be further restricted as follows:

 

1)         When a sign is used as a marker, the sign shall be of square or rectangular shape.  The sign shall be white, with an international orange border and an international orange geometric shape centered on the signboard.

 

2)         The minimum size of any sign used as a marker shall be 24 inches on each side.

 

3)         The minimum size of any buoy used as a marker shall be 9 inches in diameter.

 

4)         The minimum size of any alpha or numeric characters used on any sign or buoy shall be 1 inch of height for every 50 feet of intended visibility, provided that in no case shall the height of the characters be less than 3 inches.

 

5)         The minimum height of any geometric shape used on any sign or buoy shall be 12 inches.

 

6)         The minimum band width of any border or geometric shape used on a sign or buoy shall be 2 inches.

 

(Source:  Amended at 42 Ill. Reg. 13251, effective June 22, 2018)

 

Section 2030.15  Designation of Restricted Waters by the Department of Natural Resources

 

a)         Areas will be considered for designation, modification or elimination as restricted when the request from outside the Department meets the following criteria:

 

1)         Be accompanied by a minimum of 25 signatures of interested persons over the age of 18 who would be directly affected by the restrictions.

 

2)         Contain a detailed description of the area proposed for restriction with appropriate maps and other supporting data.

 

b)         All requests for the restricting of areas shall meet the following criteria:

 

1)         Evidence indicates that a boating safety hazard presently exists; or

 

2)         Evidence indicates a public safety concern exists relative to other water uses (e.g. swimming, skiing, etc.); or

 

3)         Evidence indicates that a boating user conflict exists.

 

c)         Consideration for protection of private property shall not be considered as appropriate criteria for restriction.

 

d)         Procedures for processing requests:

 

1)         All requests will be forwarded to the Department of Natural Resources, Office of Law Enforcement.

 

2)         The Office of Law Enforcement will investigate and validity of the request in accordance with subsection (b) and forward a report and recommendation to the Director for action by the Department.

 

(Source:  Amended at 19 Ill. Reg. 7549, effective May 26, 1995)

 

Section 2030.20  Region I – Designated Restricted Boating Areas

 

a)         The following portions of the Rock River are designated as Slow, No Wake areas:

 

1)         An area of the Rock River located at Moonlite Bay, 4 miles east of Sterling and 6 miles west of Dixon, Illinois.

 

2)         The portion of the Rock River ¼ mile above the dam at Oregon, Illinois, at the docking area at Lowden Memorial Park.

 

3)         The portion of the Rock River at Martin Park in Loves Park from 200 feet upstream of the boat launches to 200 feet downstream of the boat launches, and for 150 feet from the Martin Park Shoreline from 200 feet downstream of the boat launches to 400 feet downstream of the boat launches.

 

4)         The portion of the Rock River (river right) at approximately mile 144.5 in Machesney Park, Winnebago County, beginning at the mouth of an artificial canal leading into the River Key Subdivision and continuing throughout the inner canal system found there.

 

b)         The following portions of the Fox River are designated as Slow, No Wake areas:

The portion of the Fox River between the Main Street bridge of the City of Ottawa and the mouth of the Fox River at the confluence of the Illinois River.

 

c)         The following portions of the Illinois River are designated as Slow, No Wake areas:

 

1)         The portion of the Illinois River from the Burlington Northern R.R. bridge in the City of Ottawa to the upstream side of the mouth of the Fox River.

 

2)         The area of the Illinois River near the Spring Bay boat harbor at Spring Bay, Illinois.

 

3)         An area of the Illinois River at the Woodford County Conservation area, 7 miles north of Spring Bay off Route 87.

 

4)         An area of the Illinois River located at the Detweiller Marina, Peoria, Illinois.

 

5)         An area of the Illinois River from the southernmost edge of the Downtown Riverfront Marina to the Murray Baker Bridge, Peoria, Illinois.

 

6)         An area of the Illinois River at Alfrisco Harbor, Peoria Heights, Illinois.

 

7)         An area located at the Sobowski Marina, Peoria Heights, Illinois.

 

8)         An area located at the Illinois Valley Yacht Club, Peoria Heights, Illinois.

 

9)         An area at Henry, Illinois, on the west side of the River from Browns Landing to 300 yards north of the bridge.

 

10)         The Lacon Boat Club Dock, Lacon, Illinois.

 

11)         The boat harbor at Lacon, Illinois.

 

12)         An area at the South Shore Boat Club, Peru, Illinois.

 

13)         The harbor of Starved Rock Marina, Ottawa, Illinois.

 

14)         The waters of the Illinois River beginning in front of the Pekin Boat Club launching ramp.

 

d)         The following portions of the Mississippi River are designated as Slow, No Wake areas:

 

1)         An area bordering the Savanna Park waterfront, extending from a jetty south of the Ritchie Boat Dock, north to a jetty north of the Kindell Marina.

 

2)         An area in Vaely Chute which runs through the Andalusia Islands located 4 miles west of Andalusia.

 

3)         An area at the launching ramp and harbor of the Rock Island Boat Club located at the foot of 18th Avenue in Rock Island.

 

4)         An area at the harbor and boat ramp in front of the Legion Hall at Cordova, Illinois.

 

5)         An area located at the boat ramps, City of Moline, between 26^th Street and 34^th Street and River Drive.

 

6)         An area near the launching ramps and bathing beach at Keithsburg, Illinois.

 

7)         An area in the chute connecting Sturgeon Bay and the Mississippi River at New Boston, Illinois.

 

8)         An area near the boat ramp and floating gas station at the end of Route 17 at New Boston.

 

9)         An area at Shokohon, Illinois.

 

10)         An area in the fish preserve lock and dam 19 at Hamilton, Illinois.

 

11)         The public launching area 3 miles north above the dam at Hamilton.

 

12)         The waters of Harris Slough Mississippi River backwaters at the Galena Boat Club, 3 miles south of Galena, Illinois.

 

13)         The waters encompassing the cut starting at the mouth of the cut on Deadman's Slough, then northward approximately 250 feet to the confluence of the Harris and Keohough Sloughs.

 

14)         The backwater section of the Mississippi River (river mile marker 479.8) that starts at the Harbor opening of Potter's Lake, Sunset Park, Rock Island and covers the entire lake area.

 

15)         The area of Cattail Slough off the Mississippi River, located south of Fulton, Whiteside County, .7 mile in length, 150 yards wide, starting on the north at the Chicago and Northwestern R.R. bridge and extending south .7 mile to the first narrows.

 

16)         The waters of the south entrance to Chandler Slough lying upstream from the north boundary of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service property up to and including the Bent Prop Marina harbor area.

 

17)         The waters of Frentress Lake lying upstream from the boat ramp at Charlies Boat Dock, including the adjacent sand pit harbor area.

 

18)         An area of the Mississippi River in the vicinity of the Lazy River Marina at Savanna, Illinois, extending from the upper limit of the dredge cut at Miller's Lake to a point north of the Miller's Hollow public launching ramp.

 

19)         An area located approximately at Mississippi River mile 536.6 known as Savanna Slough from the Soo Line railroad bridge north to the north point of the Savanna Park District island as posted by signs or buoys.

 

e)         The following waters shall be designated as restricted waters as described below:

 

1)         NO BOATS

 

A)        The swimming area at Albany Beach located in Albany Township.

 

B)        The swimming area at the Santa Fe Island bar, approximately 4 miles north of Savanna.

 

C)        The head of Big Island and 1½ miles north of Oquawka, Illinois.

 

D)        The Boy Scout Camp located on Lake Cooper, Mississippi River.

 

E)        The waters of the four chutes of Argyle Lake, approximately 2 miles north of Colchester, Illinois.

 

F)         The water 600 feet above and 150 feet below dams 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 on the Mississippi River.

 

2)         NO SKI – It shall be unlawful to water ski in the following designated waters:

 

That area of the inside cut of the Mississippi River, opening directly into Frentrees Lake, includes the area from the north to the south entrances from the river slough, inclusive, east of Mile Post 576.

 

f)         The following portion of the Vermilion River is designated as NO ENTRY:

An area 180 feet (on river left) to 150 feet (on river right) upstream and 45 feet downstream of the Cement Plant Dam except for the 20 feet of river adjacent to the right bank.  The Cement Plant Dam is located approximately 6 miles downstream from the Highway 178 bridge and 4.75 miles upstream from the confluence with the Illinois River.

 

(Source:  Amended at 36 Ill. Reg. 5565, effective March 22, 2012)

 

Section 2030.30  Region II – Designated Restricted Boating Areas

 

a)         The following portions of the Calumet and Little Calumet Rivers are designated as Slow, No Wake areas:

 

1)         An area from the O'Brien Locks to the Michigan Central Railroad Bridge (approximately mile 326.5 to 325.3).

 

2)         An area around the Pier 11 Marina and the Lake Calumet Boat and Gun Club (approximately mile 323.2 to 323.1).

 

3)         An area around the Maryland Manor Boat Club, Skipper's Marina, and Rentner Marina (approximately mile 323.0 to 322.5).

 

4)         An Area around Triplex Marina (approximately mile 319.9 to 319.8).

 

b)         The following portions of the Des Plaines River are designated as Slow, No Wake areas:

 

1)         An area around the Bay Hill Marina, Wilmington, Illinois (approximately mile 273.7), extending 150 feet out into the river and 300 feet both upstream and downstream from the center of the Marina.

 

2)         An area around the Three Rivers Yacht Club, Wilmington, Illinois (approximately mile 273.7), extending 150 feet from the harbor entrance.

 

3)         An area around Harborside Marina, Wilmington, Illinois (approximately mile 273.8), extending 500 feet both upstream and downstream of the Marina.

 

c)         The following portion of the Fox River is designated as a Slow, No Wake area:

 

An area within 150 feet upstream and downstream of the I-90 bridge.

 

d)         The following portions of Lake Michigan are designated as No Boat areas:

 

1)         An area at North Point Marina, located off the northern breakwater, running the length of the beach parallel to the shoreline and 100 yards out into the lake.

 

2)         An area at Illinois Beach State Park, located between the park office and the #3 bathhouse, running parallel to the shoreline and 70 yards out into the lake.

 

e)         It shall be unlawful to operate any watercraft with a motor larger than  10 horsepower on the waters of Griswold Lake in McHenry County.

 

f)         The following portions of the Kankakee River shall be designated as Slow, No Wake areas:

 

1)         An area 100 yards upstream and 100 yards downstream from the River Isle hairpin curve that is approximately midway between Momence, Illinois and the Indiana border.

 

2)         An area 100 yards upstream and 100 yards downstream of the hairpin curve created by the east side of Rudecki Island, which is approximately one mile west of River Isle.

 

g)         Fox River-Chain O'Lakes (Lake and McHenry Counties)

 

1)         User Permit Sticker regulations of the Fox Waterway Agency are in full force and effect on those public waters under the Agency's jurisdiction.  Failure to comply with those regulations constitutes a violation of this Section.

 

2)         Night Speed Limit regulations of the Fox Waterway Agency are in full force and effect on those public waters under the Agency's jurisdiction.  Failure to comply with those regulations constitutes a violation of this Section.

 

(Source:  Amended at 37 Ill. Reg. 11366, effective July 5, 2013)

 

Section 2030.40  Region III – Designated Restricted Boating Areas

 

The following areas are designated as Slow, No Wake areas:

 

a)         Posted areas of Lake Decatur, Decatur, Illinois.

 

b)         Posted areas of East and West Lakes, north of Paris, Illinois.

 

c)         Posted areas of Lake Vermilion, Danville, Illinois.

 

d)         Posted areas of Waterworks Lake, Little Vermilion River, Georgetown, Illinois.

 

e)         Posted areas of Lake Shelbyville.

 

f)         Posted areas of Lake Mattoon in Cumberland, Coles and Shelby Counties.

 

g)         Posted areas of Charleston Side Channel Lake, Charleston, Illinois.

 

h)         Posted areas of Mill Creek Lake, Clark County Park District, Clarksville, Illinois.

 

i)          Posted areas of Clinton Lake, Clinton, Illinois.

 

(Source:  Amended at 19 Ill. Reg. 7549, effective May 26, 1995)

 

Section 2030.50  Region IV – Designated Restricted Boating Areas

 

a)         The following portions of the Illinois River are designated as Slow, No Wake areas:

 

1)         The designated area in the vicinity of the boat launching ramp at Havana, Illinois.

 

2)         The mouth of Patterson Bay.

 

3)         The waters of Bath Chute at head of Island, at the foot of Island, above the town of Bath, Illinois, and below the town of Bath, Illinois.

 

4)         Designated areas of Silver Lake in Calhoun County.

 

5)         Near Grafton, Illinois, an area at the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers starting at the old water treatment plant and extending 150 feet out from the shoreline continuing upstream to Shaffer's Wharf.

 

b)         The following portion of the Mississippi River is designated as No Boats:

The water 600 feet above and 150 feet below dams 19, 20, 21 and 22 on the Mississippi River.

 

c)         The following portions of Quincy Bay in Adams County are designated as Slow, No Wake Areas:

 

1)         Designated area at the entrance to Broad Lake.

 

2)         Designated area at the "River Channel Cut-Through."

 

3)         Designated area at Quincy Bay Harbor.

 

d)         Piasa Creek in Jersey County from its mouth at the Mississippi River upstream to Illinois Route 100 bridge.

 

e)         Otter Creek in Jersey County from its mouth at the Illinois River upstream to Illinois Route 100 bridge.

 

f)         The following portions of Sangchris Lake in Christian County are designated as No Boat areas:

 

1)         The power plant intake arm beyond the buoy line.

 

2)         The power plant discharge arm beyond the buoy line.

 

3)         The designated South Waterfowl Refuge or Rest Area.

 

4)         The designated North Waterfowl Refuge or Rest Area.

 

g)         Macoupin Creek from its mouth at the Illinois River upstream to Reddish Ford bridge.

 

h)         The following portions of Coffeen Lake in Montgomery County are designated as No Boats and No Fishing areas:

 

1)         The power plant intake arm beyond the buoy line.

 

2)         The power plant discharge arm beyond the buoy line.

 

3)         The buoyed area of the spillway.

 

i)          The following portions of the Kaskaskia River are designated as Slow, No Wake Areas:

 

1)         All backwaters and/or side channels below Fayetteville, Illinois.

 

2)         All waters between the Illinois Route 3 Bridge and the Northern boundary of the public boat ramp in Evansville, Illinois.

 

3)         All waters between the ICG Railroad Bridge and the entrance to the public boat launching ramp known as "Baldwin Ramp."

 

4)         River Mile 24 to 25.

 

5)         100 yards upstream and 100 yards downstream from the Kaskaskia River Lock and Dam.

 

6)         100 yards upstream and 100 yards downstream from the New Athens boat launching ramp.

 

j)          The following portion of the Mississippi River is designated as a Slow, No Wake area:

 

An area 6½ miles north of Hamilton, Illinois.

 

k)         Those portions of Carlyle Lake, as posted, are designated No Entry, No Boats, No Fishing, or otherwise restricted areas.

 

(Source:  Amended at 36 Ill. Reg. 5565, effective March 22, 2012)

 

Section 2030.60 Region V – Designated Restricted Boating Areas

 

On the waters of Lake Kinkaid in Jackson County, a speed limit of 50 MPH shall be imposed during the period of one-half hour before sunrise and one-half hour after sunset and a speed limit of 25 MPH from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise.

 

(Source:  Former Section 2030.60 repealed at 19 Ill. Reg. 7549, effective May 26, 1995; new Section added at 27 Ill. Reg. 8871, effective May 19, 2003)

 

Section 2030.70  Riverboat Gambling Casinos – Designated Restricted Boating Areas

 

It shall be unlawful to operate any watercraft at greater than a No Wake speed within 150 feet of any moored, licensed Riverboat Gambling Casino on the waters of this State.

 

(Source:  Added at 19 Ill. Reg. 7549, effective May 26, 1995)

 

Section 2030.80  Hazardous Navigation Conditions – Designated Restricted Boating Areas

 

In the event that the Department of Natural Resources determines the presence of conditions that make navigation of a body of water significantly dangerous to the public, the Director of the Department of Natural Resources may, in coordination with the federal government, designate Restricted Boating Areas on any affected body of water within the jurisdiction of the State of Illinois.  This designation shall be made by public announcement in local media and by posting at local public boat launches and marinas, and the restricted area shall be physically marked by buoys, signs, manned watercraft or yellow police tape.  This designation will remain in effect until the Director of the Department of Natural Resources determines that navigation is no longer significantly dangerous to the public, but in no case shall the designation remain in effect longer than 90 days.  Rescission of the Restricted Boating Area designation shall be publicly announced in local media and posted at local public boat launches and marinas and any markings shall be removed.

 

(Source:  Added at 29 Ill. Reg. 15550, effective September 27, 2005)