Please be advised that non-motorized craft and motorized craft must share a portion of the river each day. Motorized craft must give non-motorized craft the "right of way" at all times. See number 2 below. The boat ramp will be locked at 9:00 PM.

1. Power boats, including personal watercraft (jet skis or water bikes), must obtain a daily permit (Fee: $7.50) prior to using the river and boat ramp. Permits must be in the possession of the boat operator at all times.

   Daily Power Boat Permits are issued according to the posted schedule and must be obtained at the Department of Park and Recreation Office located at City Hall, 455 N. Main, 11th Floor, Phone: 268-4361.

   Permits are issued for a specific boat and specific day and are non-transferable. Upon a signal or request from an occupant of a duly marked police boat, a uniformed officer on the bank, or from any duly appointed representative of the Department of Park and Recreation, all watercraft shall immediately dock at the nearest bank indicated.

2. Power boats may operate only within the area between the Lincoln Street Dam and the Lewis Street Bridge. Non-motorized craft may operate within the area between the Lincoln Street Dam and the Amidon/Meridian Bridge. Notice to all non-motorized boat operators: do not proceed up river from the Amidon/Meridian Bridge. The area near the 21st St. Bridge is hazardous.

3. Speed limits:

   "No wake" (5 mph) is in effect for all powered craft when passing under any bridge and when operating within the boat ramp area defined as the area between the Lewis Street Bridge and Kellogg Overpass Bridge.

   Maximum speed limit for all craft: 40 mph.

4. Power boat mufflers: exhaust noise shall not exceed 86 decibels on any powered craft when measured 10 feet from the point of exhaust.

5. All Federal and State regulations pertaining to boats and equipment, boating activities, boating safety, and safety equipment are in effect for all watercraft operating within the designated area.

6. Direction of traffic: all power boating and skiing shall be parallel to the banks and in a counterclockwise direction. Boating shall be confined to the center portion of the river.

7. All boats must stay 150 feet from the Lincoln Street Dam.

8. Non-motorized craft must stay 50 feet from the "Falls Area" at the confluence of the Big and Little Arkansas Rivers.

9. No person or organization shall operate any concession from within the designated area, which sells or rents boats or boat rides without written permission from the City of Wichita, Department of Park and Recreation.

10. No fishing allowed from a boat or bridge in the designated area.

11. No swimming allowed in the designated area.

12. No tying or anchoring of boats under bridge within the described area. Docking and/or tying of boats is permitted only in places designated and only while the operator is present.

13. It is unlawful:

    1. For any person to ride on an elevated deck.

    2. For any person to ride or operate a boat on the Big Arkansas while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. It is also unlawful to possess or consume any alcoholic liquor or cereal malt beverage on board any watercraft.

    3. For any person or organization to place buoys on the river without written permission from the City of Wichita, Department of Park and Recreation.

    4. To throw items from a boat or bridge.

    5. To use the river during high water. The ramp will be closed during high water.

    6. To boat race without special permit.

    7. To use kites or parachutes.

14. Boats requiring trailers must use the designated boat ramp. Time spent on the ramp must be kept to a minimum. The ramp may not be used for boat repairs.

15. Water skiing activities allowed shall be limited to one or two persons being pulled behind one boat while being held atop the water by their bare feet, water skis, knee boards, ski disk, or inflatable tubes or sleds manufactured for that purpose.

16. A complete listing of City Ordinances pertaining to boating on the Big Arkansas River may be obtained upon request, from the City of Wichita, Department of Park and Recreation.

17. Unlawful use of the river and/or boat ramp is subject to penalty or prosecution.

All boating activities are "at your own risk". The City of Wichita and the Department of Park and Recreation are not responsible for damages or injury caused or allegedly caused by or during boating activities on the Big Arkansas River. Please be aware that the river bottom is very shallow in many areas and boating should be done with extreme caution and only after a slow surveillance of the entire boating area by the boat operator prior to use.

For more information, please consult City Code - Chapter 9.29 - Boating Regulations on the Big Arkansas River.

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