Flowing Lake Boating & Water Skiing Regulations

MOTORIZED WATERCRAFT

VESSEL SPEED LIMITS

Inside Water Ski Course

  • 35 mph inside the water ski course from 10:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
  • 8 mph before 10:30 a.m. and after 8:00 p.m.
  • Personal watercraft (jet skis) can operate from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Outside of Water Ski Course

  • 8 mph at all times while outside of the water ski course.
  • Personal watercraft (jet skis) can operate from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

VESSEL OPERATION PROTOCOLS

  • All persons in vessels must remain seated while the vessel is underway.
  • Every motorized boat must yield the right of way to sailboats, rowboats, water skiers, swimmers, divers, fishing lines, and fishermen.
  • Vessels towing any type of water skier must have an observer 10 years of age or older.
  • All vessels exceeding 8 mph must remain 200 feet from shore and 100 feet from all other vessels, skiers, swimmers, bathers, all buoys (other than water ski course marked buoys), diver's flags, floating objects, swimming areas, and other designated areas
  • Swimming is prohibited within the water-ski course during water-skiing hours.
  • Must be at least 14 years old to operate a personal watercraft.
  • Always remain at a safe distance (minimum of 100 feet) from other boats, buoys, skiers, and swimming areas.
  • Please observe the "No Wake" zones near boat launches and docks
  • To help reduce noise, please refrain from operating your personal watercraft close to shorelines with residences or during early morning hours.
  • All persons on board a personal watercraft must wear an approved personal flotation device (PFD).

Reckless Operation

It is unlawful to operate a watercraft in a manner to endanger life or limbs or damage property.

Negligent Operation

It is unlawful to operate a watercraft in a manner as to endanger any person or property.

Alcohol

It is unlawful to operate or be in physical control of any watercraft when under the influence of intoxicating liquor or narcotics.

Accidents

The operator of any watercraft involved in an accident resulting in injury or death to any person or in damage to property, shall immediately stop and give the name, address, name, and number of the vessel and the name and address of the owner of the vessel, and shall render reasonable assistance. Report of an accident must be filed with the Snohomish County Sheriffs' Office within 48 hours, if the accident involved a death or personal injury requiring medical treatment, or property damage in excess of $200.00.

 

WATER SKI COURSE RULES

  • Water skiing is permitted on Flowing Lake from May 25-September 25 between 10:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
  • Water skiing is permitted only within the water ski course as defined by the round orange and vertical white regulatory marker buoys.
  • Water skiers must ski inside marker buoys in a counterclockwise direction.
  • All vessels exceeding 8mph must remain within the ski course and travel in a counterclockwise direction. All vessels must turn right after dropping off a skier.
  • 8 mph before 10:30 a.m. and after 8:00 p.m.
  • 35 mph inside the water ski course from 10:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
  • 8 mph at all times while outside of the water ski course
  • Water skiers and persons on personal watercraft (jet skis) are required to wear type I, II, or III personal flotation devices (Coast Guard approved).
  • A red 12-inch square "skier down" flag, mounted on a two-foot pole must be displayed when the skier is down.

SAFETY EQUIPMENT

  • Water skiers and persons on personal watercraft are required to wear Type I, II, or III personal flotation devices (Coast Guard approved).
  • All vessels are required to have readily available personal flotation device Type I, II, or III (Coast Guard approved) for all persons onboard.
  • Vessels that are 16 feet or longer must also carry at least one Type IV throwable personal flotation device (Coast Guard approved).
  • Fire extinguishers (Coast Guard approved) are required on all vessels with internal combustion motors.
  • All internal combustion motors must be equipped with a muffler.
  • A red 12-inch square "skier down" flag, mounted on a two-foot pole must be displayed when the skier is down.

Any motorized vessel operated in Washington State having an engine larger than 10 horsepower, must be registered. For further information on vessel registration, contact the Washington Department of Licensing or the Snohomish County Auditor's Office.


NON-MOTORIZED WATERCRAFT

  • Non-motorized watercraft is allowed on Flowing Lake at all hours.
  • Every motorized boat must yield the right of way to sailboats, rowboats, water skiers, swimmers, divers, fishing lines, and fishermen. 

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