Boating Rules

The following list represents the basic rules that must be observed at all times by persons operating or storing boats and other watercraft on Lake Springfield. Anyone found to be violating these rules will be considered guilty of a misdemeanor(s) and may be fined up to $750 per violation. (In certain cases, detailed below, violators may be charged with felony conduct.) Additional penalties, including the revocation of registration privileges, may also be assessed.

The complete rules and regulations governing the use of boats and all other watercraft on Lake Springfield can be found in Sections 96.037 through 96.041 of Chapter 96 of the Springfield, Illinois, Code of Ordinances.

Registration and Licensing Read More

All watercraft used, kept or stored on Lake Springfield or its marginal lands must be registered and licensed in accordance with all City of Springfield and State of Illinois requirements.

Mast Height Limitations Read More

Watercraft with mast heights in excess of 35 feet may be used, kept or stored only on the central basin or on central basin marginal land.

Access Restrictions Read More

Boating is not permitted in the vicinity of Spaulding Dam. A line of "no boat" buoys extending eastward from the shoreline at Dallman Power Plant to the opposite bank places this area off-limits to boats.

Operator Age Read More

No person under the age of 18 may be on the lake between midnight and 5 a.m. without a parent or guardian. Regardless of age, all operators of watercraft on Lake Springfield must comply with State of Illinois requirements for registration and safety equipment.

In order to operate a motorboat on Lake Springfield you must be at least ten years old.

Effective January 1, 2016, no person born on or after January 1, 1998, will be allowed to operate a motorized watercraft in Illinois without a boating safety certificate issued by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) or an entity or organization recognized and approved by IDNR.

Persons at least 10 years of age and less than 12 years of age may operate a motorized watercraft only if the person is under the direct on-board supervision of a parent, guardian or other person designated by the parent/guardian who is at least 18 years old and has a valid boating safety certificate issued by the IDNR or an entity or organization recognized and approved by that Department.

Persons at least 12 years and less than 18 years of age may operate a motorized watercraft without permission only if the person has a valid boating safety certificate issued by IDNR or from an entity or organization recognized and approved by that Department.

Intoxication Read More

Illinois law prohibits watercraft operation by any person under the influence of alcohol, other drugs or any combination of those substances. Violation of this law will be treated as a Class A misdemeanor, Class 4 felony or Class 3 felony, depending on the violator's past record or the extent to which the violation results in bodily injury or death to another individual.

Muffling Equipment Read More

All motors must be equipped with a muffler to prevent noise and smoke. Motor and internal engine exhaust gases should be discharged underwater or should be muffled to ensure that the gases are no noisier or annoying than those of similarly powered internal combustion engines with underwater exhausts. Muffler cutouts are not permitted.

Speed Limits Read More

Top allowable speed on Lake Springfield is 35 mph. From sunset to sunrise, the maximum speed is reduced to 15 mph. When within 200 feet of the shoreline, while going under bridges or if passing within 50 yards of a diver's flag, the maximum speed is 5 mph. When within 200 feet of a public launching ramp or bridge, "no wake" speed (5 mph or less) must be maintained. (Wake is defined as the movement of water created by a boat underway if that movement is great enough to disturb a boat at rest.)

Diver's Flags Read More

A diver's flag is a red square or rectangular flag with white diagonal stripe, measuring at least 12 inches by 12 inches, which is visible for 360 degrees. It is to be displayed by the operator of any watercraft whenever anyone leaves the confines of that craft to enter the water. No watercraft shall operate at a speed greater than 5 miles per hour within 50 yards of a diver’s flag while diving operations for underwater search, recovery, or repair purposes or specific training are in progress.

Racing Read More

No unauthorized racing is allowed on Lake Springfield.

Operating Care Read More

Watercraft should be operated with reasonable care at all times to avoid endangering life and property. At no time should any watercraft be operated at such a speed or in such proximity to another craft as to cause either operator to have to swerve to avoid collision. When a motorboat is underway, occupants may not sit on the gunwales, on tops of seat backs, or in the decking over the bow or stern. While underway, occupants also may not stand in any boat or craft unless their center of gravity is below the level of the gunwales or guard rails or unless the watercraft is specifically designed for standing operation.

Water Skiing and Other Recreational Towing Activities Read More

The following rules must be observed by any watercraft being used to tow a water skier, aquaplaner, tuber, surfboarder or any other person using a similar type of device:

Any watercraft towing a person or persons on water skis, an aquaplane, tube or other similar device must display a bright or brilliant orange flag measuring not less than 12 inches square. This flag must be visible from all directions at all times the person(s) being towed is in the water.
Any watercraft towing a water skier or person on an aquaplane, tube or other similar device must have sufficient seating capacity for all passengers and the person(s) being towed. When towing, the watercraft must be occupied by at least two competent persons (the driver and an "observer").
Towing or assisting water skiers is allowed only in the period from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.
Water skiing and other types of recreational towing are not permitted in the vicinity of Spaulding Dam. A line of "no boat" buoys establishes this area as being off limits to water activities of any kind. Nor is recreational towing permitted within 200 feet of any portion of the lake's shoreline, except in lanes authorized for the express purpose of entering or exiting the main body of the lake. Such activity is also prohibited in areas posted as beaches and boat harbors, under bridges, and within a 1000-foot radius of public boat launches.

Personal Flotation Devices Read More

All boats must have at least one U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device aboard for each person.

Boats 16 feet or more in length must be equipped with one extra personal flotation device in addition to those required for each passenger aboard the boat.

Each person operating or occupying a canoe, kayak, stand-up paddle board or windsurfing board must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life vest at all times while in or on the vessel.

All persons aged 13 and under, as well as all non-swimmers, are required to wear U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices at all times.

Flotation Device Definitions Read More

U.S. Coast Guard approved life preservers, including life jackets and other personal flotation devices are classified based on their buoyancy, size and intended use. Labels in all personal flotation devices available for sale in the U.S. effective January 1, 2016 reflect federal code by incorporating specific fields of information, including internationally recognized usage symbols, that will improve the ability of consumers to understand the activities and the size of the user for which a specific device is approved. Following January 1, 2016, watercraft users on Lake Springfield may continue to use existing Type I-V personal flotation devices in the manner and for the purposes for which they are intended for the life of those devices. However, all new and replacement personal flotation devices purchased on or after January 1, 2016/ must comply with the federal code effective that date in order to be used on Lake Springfield.

Lighting Equipment Read More

Any watercraft operated on Lake Springfield between sunset and sunrise must have some type of lighting equipment. Specific requirements are as follows:

Between sunset and sunrise, watercraft less than 26 feet long must display: (1) a white light visible for two miles mounted on the rear of the craft; and (2) a combination light—green on the right side and red on the left side—mounted on the front of the boat in a position that is lower than the white light. The combination light must be screened so that the green light is visible from the right only and the red light is visible from the left only.
Motorboats that are longer than 26 feet should carry the additional lights required by the U.S. Coast Guard for that specific boat size and type.
Lighting requirements for sailboats depend on the boat's size and its method of locomotion. When a sailboat equipped with a motor(s) is being propelled partly or solely by that motor(s), the boat operator must follow lighting rules for motorboats. When a sailboat of less than 26 feet in length is propelled by sail between sunset and sunrise (whether or not the boat is equipped with a motor), the operator may use combination running lights only. When a sailboat of 26 feet or longer is propelled by sail between sunset and sunrise (whether or not the boat is equipped with a motor), suitably screened colored side lights must be used. These boats do not have to display the white lights required for motorboats.
Boats propelled by muscle power must carry a lantern or flashlight that emits white light visible for two miles. This light should not be attached to the craft, but must be displayed if other craft approach to help avoid collisions.
When serving a larger boat, dinghies, tenders and other watercraft should carry a flashlight visible to other craft in the area. When not serving a larger craft, they must follow lighting rules for boats of their class.

Personal Watercraft Operation Read More

In addition to following general boating safety rules outlined throughout this section, operators of personal watercraft (e.g., jet skis) are prohibited from:

weaving through congested traffic at other than idle speed;
jumping the wake of another vessel within 100 feet of the vessel or whenever the visibility of either watercraft operator is otherwise obstructed; or
operating in excess of "no-wake" speed within 50 feet of any vessel or any person in or on the water.
operating the craft between the hours of sunset and sunrise.

Effective March 10, 2023, motorized surf boards, known as E-Foils or LiftFoils, are not permitted as a personal watercraft (PWC) to operate, nor to be provided for training or rental on Lake Springfield for the public safety of all lake recreational users and the operators themselves.
Surfboard Notice

Overnight Occupancy Read More

No watercraft may be used for overnight occupancy or permanent lodging on Lake Springfield.

Toilet Facilities Read More

No marine head (toilet) on any watercraft used upon Lake Springfield may be installed and operated in a way that permits the discharge of any sewage into the water directly or indirectly. Toilet facilities must be pumped out at an appropriate sewage disposal station.

Littering/Pollution Read More

Littering or discharging oil or other pollutants into the lake is not permitted.

Disturbing the Peace Read More

Boats, horns, stereos or sound systems should not be operated in such a way as to disturb the peace.

Boating Accidents Read More

Any watercraft operator involved in a boating accident in which a person is injured or property is damaged must give others involved in the accident his name, address and boat description, as well as the name and address of the watercraft owner if different from that of the operator. In addition, if the accident results in an injury requiring medical attention beyond first aid or in property damage of $2,000 or more (or total loss of the vessel), an accident report must be filed with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the General Manager of Public Utilities within 5 days. Accidents resulting in loss of life must be reported within 48 hours. Other responsibilities of the watercraft operator or owner in the event of an accident include:

The operator should try to help anyone else involved in the accident as long as doing so does not threaten the safety of the operator, his passengers or his craft.
If a person is struggling in the water at an accident scene, the boat operator should seek assistance either by: sounding a short blast on the boat horn, by waving both arms and holding up a life jacket, or by calling for assistance on Channel 9 of a CB radio. An attempt to rescue the person in the water should be made only if the rescuer is wearing a life jacket, if the rescue boat is anchored, and if there is another person in the boat (or on another nearby boat) to keep other watercraft away from the rescue area.