Seal of Dane County County of Dane
Translate
Dane County Land & Water Resources Department

Slow-no-wake

Map Labels Lake Mendota Map Lake Monona Map Lake Kegonsa Map Lake Waubesa Map Squaw Bay Map

Slow-no-wake Restriction Map

Green Lake = Normal Slow-no-wake Restrictions

Yellow Lake = Emergency Order: slow-no-wake within 500 feet of shore

Red Lake = Emergency Order: slow-no-wake entire surface area

Current Emergency Orders

11/5/2021 - Emergency Slow-no-wake orders have been issued for the following lake(s):
Lake Monona (Entire Surface), Lake Mendota (500 Feet), Squaw Bay (Entire Surface),
Press Release

Slow-no-wake Restrictions

Slow-no-wake requirements were created to minimize conflict between various lake recreational users, reduce or lessen the severity of boating accidents, protect human life, provide safe swimming zones, assure and encourage multiple uses of lakes, reduce shoreline erosion, protect fish spawning areas and protect wetlands, bogs and other sensitive areas.  Dane County has in effect a slow-no-wake ordinance, see Chapter 72, that goes beyond the minimum state boating requirements (see the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Boating in Wisconsin webpage).

Normal Slow-no-wake Restrictions: 

  • Dane County ordinance establishes a 200-ft slow-no-wake zone along the entire shorelines of Lakes Mendota, Monona, Waubesa and Kegonsa.  Within that zone, boaters must not travel faster than slow-no-wake speed, which means the minimum speed at which a motorized watercraft is able to move and maintain adequate steerage control.
     
  • There is an exception to the requirement stated above for Lake Monona from Law Park to a point 1,000 feet due north of the intersection of John Nolen Drive and Lakeside Street.  Lake users should be aware of water skiers practicing and performing in this area.

Emergency Slow-no-wake Restrictions:

  • Emergency orders are slow-no-wake restrictions that are in addition to normal 200-ft slow-no-wake restrictions, creating an entire lake surface of slow-no-wake.  These orders are declared when there is high water or other hazardous circumstances which pose a threat to life or property.

Previous 10 Emergency Orders

6/29/2018 - Emergency Slow-no-wake orders have been issued for the following lake(s):
Press Release
6/24/2014 - Emergency Slow-no-wake orders have been issued for the following lake(s):
The Slow-no-wake Order for Lake Monona is from noon to midnight on 6/28/2014 due to Rhythm and Booms.
Press Release
8/9/2013 - Emergency Slow-no-wake orders have been issued for the following lake(s):
Crystal Lake (Entire Surface),
Slow-No-Wake rescinded on Crystal Lake
Rescinding Order
7/10/2013 - Emergency Slow-no-wake orders have been issued for the following lake(s):
Crystal Lake (Entire Surface), Lake Waubesa (Entire Surface),
Slow-No-Wake removed for Lake Waubesa
Press Release
7/5/2013 - Emergency Slow-no-wake orders have been issued for the following lake(s):
Squaw Bay (Entire Surface),
Slow-No-Wake declaration for Squaw Bay
Executive Order
7/3/2013 - Emergency Slow-no-wake orders have been issued for the following lake(s):
Crystal Lake (Entire Surface), Lake Kegonsa (Entire Surface), Lake Monona (Entire Surface), Lake Waubesa (Entire Surface),
Slow No Wake Orders for Lakes Monona and Kegonsa to be Removed
Press Release Executive Order
6/28/2013 - Emergency Slow-no-wake orders have been issued for the following lake(s):
Crystal Lake (Entire Surface), Lake Kegonsa (Entire Surface),
Slow No Wake Orders for Dane County Expanded to Two More Lakes
Press Release Executive Order
6/27/2013 - Emergency Slow-no-wake orders have been issued for the following lake(s):
Lake Monona (Entire Surface), Squaw Bay (Entire Surface), Lake Waubesa (Entire Surface),
Slow No Wake Orders Issued for Two Dane County Lakes
Press Release Executive Order
6/22/2012 - Emergency Slow-no-wake orders have been issued for the following lake(s):
Crystal Lake (Entire Surface),
Slow-No-Wake rescinded for Crystal Lake
Executive Order
11/12/2010 - Emergency Slow-no-wake orders have been issued for the following lake(s):
Crystal Lake (Entire Surface), Squaw Bay (Entire Surface),
Slow No Wake Discontinued for Lake Monona’s Squaw Bay
Press Release