Specific Area Laws
Class ‘A’ Lakes: Lake Tapps, Alder Lake, and Lake Kapowsin
Lake Tapps-Lake Ridge Cove – the maximum speed is 5 mph except for the purpose of taking off and landing water skiers from property along the cove. You must approach the entrance at a right angle for at least 200 feet. Vessels exiting the cove have priority over vessels entering the cove. The channel must be clear prior to entering the cove. Vessels shall keep to the right half of the entrance and the skier must stay directly behind the vessel. If the entrance is obstructed, unsafe, or it is unlawful to proceed, the vessel shall come to a complete stop and pick up the skier. No wading, swimming, taking off or landing of water skiers is permitted with 100 feet in either direction from the entrance to the cove.
Lake Ridge Addition, Deer Island Channel, Deer Island & Island 21 Channel – the maximum speed is 5 mph unless you are taking off or landing a skier from property within the channel or adjacent cove. The operator shall keep the vessel on the right half of the channel with the skier directly behind the vessel. You are not allowed to pass another vessel traveling in the same direction. You are required to keep 200 feet behind the vessel and come to a full stop and bring the skier on board if the channel is obstructed, unsafe, or it is unlawful to proceed. Drifting, anchoring or rafting of motorized vessels is prohibited in Deer Island/Lakeridge Cove, except at private docks.
Rafting On Lake Tapps – It is unlawful to raft two or more vessels together in any cove or channel or within 500 feet of shore on Lake Tapps, except in a designated area along Dike 4 near the Pierce County Park. ‘Raft or Rafting’ means to tie, connect, fasten, hold, or secure two or more vessels together or to an object other than a dock that is secured to the shoreline, while on the water.
Related posts:
What’s a Class A lake?
Why is Kapowsin included in a water skiing story about Lake Tapps? anyone who tries to ski on Kapowsin is in for a rude shock when they hit a submerged tree. please respond to bpickard@pickard-murphy.com