Twain Harte Lake

Boating Regulations


Using the Lake

LAKE RULES BOATING REGULATIONS LAKE ADMISSION REGULATIONS FUN AT THE LAKE SNACK SHACK

Twain Harte Lake Boating Regulations

The following rules and regulations pertain to the use of all watercraft (defined as canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, surfboards, boats of any type, or any flotation equipment more than six (6) feet in length) as prescribed by the Twain Harte Lake Association Board of Directors. Lifeguard and rescue equipment are excluded and not subject to these rules and regulations.

Because of the large and increasing number of lake users and also the number of watercraft on the lake, the following regulations are now in effect. The purpose of these regulations is to protect and to generally keep the lake area in an orderly and safe operating condition for all members of the Association.

General Regulations

  1. All boats of any description must be registered at the Gate House before permission is granted for them to be used on the lake and stored at the east end of the lake in the designated docking and launching area.
  2. Paddleboards and surfboards do not have to be registered.
  3. Personal Floatation Device Requirement: in compliance with California law (14 CCR §6565 et seq.), a USCG-approved personal floatation device (PFD) must be present and accessible on all paddle-propelled watercraft at all times while on the lake. Any person under the age of 13 must wear a properly fitted USCG-approved PFD at all times while on a paddle-propelled watercraft and sailboats. All persons, regardless of age, are encouraged to wear a PFD. PFDs are available at the Gatehouse contingent on availability. Members are responsible for ensuring their guests comply with this requirement.
  4. Owners of all watercraft are responsible for the way they are used and the conduct of the persons using them.
  5. Watercraft may NOT be docked or left within the roped area of the beach nor in the roped swimming or diving areas of the rock.
  6. Only Twain Harte Lake aquatic rescue and rental equipment is allowed in front of the gate house.
  7. No watercraft will be allowed on the beach. All watercraft, when not in use, must be docked at the tie-up area at the east end of the lake.
  8. NO power boats or sail boards (for windsurfing) are permitted on the lake at any time.
  9. The gate to the east of the Gatehouse can be used for bringing in or removing boats during the hours of 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM or 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM. Notify the Gatehouse and they will open the gate at your request during these hours.

Boating Regulations

  1. Watercraft (other than sailboats) are not restricted to any area of the lake except that no watercraft may enter the roped swimming or diving areas. However, they must be handled by responsible persons who will maintain extreme care while in the general swimming areas and will give the right-of-way to all swimmers.
  2. Sailboats are restricted to a designated area and may be disallowed based on lake use by the General Manager or Head Lifeguard.
  3. No person shall stand on any watercraft not specifically designed for standing use. Paddleboards are designed for standing use and are exempt from this restriction.
  4. Sailboats, of any type, will be restricted to a certain area of the lake between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. The diagram on the back of this page indicates the area restricted to sailboats.
  5. The maximum length for any watercraft on the lake is twelve feet (12 ft.).
  6. The above regulations on watercraft are designed to provide for the safety of all and still permit boat recreation. Failure to cooperate with these regulations will result in the offending owners being requested to remove their watercraft from the lake.