4. Chisago County Ordinance Re: Regulating the Operation of Watercraft ORDINANCE NO. 07-5
RESOLUTION NO. 070822-4
AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 050921-1
CHISAGO COUNTY ORDINANCE
REGULATING THE OPERATION OF WATERCRAFT
Chisago County, Minnesota
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHISAGO COUNTY'S,
PREVIOUSLY UNNUMBERED
"ORDINANCE REGULATING THE OPERATION OF WATERCRAFT,"
(LAST APPROVED ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2005)
THE CHISAGO COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ORDAINS:
SECTION 1: DEFINITIONS
The following words and phrases when used in this ordinance have the meanings set forth below:
A. "Person" includes an individual,partnership, corporation, or any body of persons, whether
incorporated or formed into an association or not.
B. "Operate" means to navigate or otherwise use a watercraft.
C. "Watercraft" is as defined in Minnesota Statute 361.02, Subdivision 7.
D. "Slow-No Wake" means the operation of a watercraft at the lowest possible speed necessary to
maintain steerage and in no case greater than five (5)miles per hour.
E. "Green Lake" is a body of water given that name and assigned the Lake No. 13-41 by the
Department of Natural Resources.
F. "Chisago Lake" is a body of water given that name and assigned the Lake No. 13-12 by the
Department of Natural Resources.
G. "North Lindstrom Lake" is a body of water given that name and assigned the Lake No. 13-35 by
the Department of Natural Resources.
H. "South Lindstrom Lake" is a body of water given that name and assigned the Lake No. 13-28 by
the Department of Natural Resources.
I. "North Center Lake" is a body of water given that name and assigned the Lake No. 13-32 by the
Department of Natural Resources.
J. "South Center Lake" is a body of water given that name and assigned the Lake No. 13-27 by the
Department of Natural Resources.
K. "Rush Lake" is a body of water given that name and assigned the Lake No. 13-69 by the
Department of Natural Resources.
L. "Bull Lake" is a body of water given that name and assigned the Lake No. 13-154 by the
Department of Natural Resources.
M. "North Channel"commonly known as North Channel Flowage westerly point being the County
Rd. 20 bridge at North Lindstrom Lake and the Flowage Connection easterly point being the
channel on North Center Lake located at the southern end of Blue Waters Trailer Park.
N. "High Water" means water elevations in excess of 900.2 feet above mean sea level, as reflected
by the gauge reading at 5.37, said gauge located on the culvert underneath U.S. Highway 8, said
culvert acting as a channel between North Center and South Center Lakes, and for Chisago Lake,
North Lindstrom and South Lindstrom Lakes, and North Center and South Center Lakes.
"High Water" for Green Lake shall mean water elevations in excess of 892.5 feet above mean sea
level, as reflected by the gauge reading at 11.87, said gauge located at the intersection of Green
Lake and Stinson Boulevard.
SECTION 2: REGULATIONS
A. During periods of high water, as defined herein, no person shall operate a watercraft at a greater
then a slow-no wake speed within 300 feet of the shoreline of the following lakes: Green Lake
(13-41), Chisago Lake (13-12),North Lindstrom (13-35), South Lindstrom (13-28),North
Center(13-32) and South Center(13-27).
Once enacted and upon lake levels falling again below the high water, a two week waiting period
will commence, with the slow-no wake restriction being removed only if the water remains
below the designated levels for the entire two week duration. If at anytime during the two week
waiting period a high water condition again exists, a new slow-no wake restriction will begin.
B. No person shall operate a watercraft at a greater than a slow-no wake speed on the following:
1. On North Center Lake (13-32) in the following areas: In the channel between North
Center(13-32) and South Center(13-27).
2. On Rush Lake (13-69) in the following areas: In the channel between the East body of
Rush Lake and the West body of Rush Lake.
3. The narrow channel into a Bay on the Southeast end of the West body of Rush Lake.
4. The Northwest Bay of South Center Lake (abutting Neal Avenue in Lindstrom).
5. An area on Rush Lake (13-69) in the West bay in the channel between Madsen's Landing
and Wilson's Bay Island being 300 feet in each direction from aline being the shortest
distance between the Southerly point of Wilson's Island and Madsen's Landing.
6. An area on Bull Lake (13-154) from the North Channel, commonly known as North
Channel Flowage,that connects the following lakes: North Center Lake,North
Lindstrom Lake, and Bull Lake.
SECTION 3: EXEMPTIONS
Authorized resource management, emergency and enforcement personnel when acting in the
performance of their duty shall be exempt from the provisions of this ordinance.
SECTION 4: MARKING
The Chisago County Sheriff shall be responsible for the public, posting notification at all public
accesses, and marking all areas affected by this ordinance as practicable.
SECTION 5: ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES
The Chisago County Sheriff shall be responsible for the enforcement of this ordinance. Any person who shall
violate any provisions of this ordinance shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Adopted: August 22,2007
Mike Robinson, Chair
Attest:
DeAnna M. Lilienthal
Clerk, County Board