1. General Regulations
Lake Wildwood Association is under the control of the State of Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
(a) The provisions of the State of Illinois Boat Registration and Safety Act have been adopted by the Association to be applicable to all watercraft operated on Lake Wildwood and Lake Tanglewood. In instances where the rules in the Redbook differ from this Act only those Redbook rules that are more restrictive will apply. Class II unless otherwise designated below.
(b) Only electric trolling motors can be used on Lake Tanglewood. First offense - Class I; Second offense - Class II.
(c) No docking or beaching of watercraft is permitted in or on any common area or property, except in designated areas. No docking or beaching of watercraft is permitted on any privately owned lot without the owner's permission. Class II.
(d) No person shall operate any watercraft in a careless or heedless manner as to endanger any person or property. Security shall have the authority to ban the lot from watercraft usage for a period not to exceed 24 hours. Class III.
(e) Unless otherwise posted, motorized watercraft speeds exceeding ‘no wake’ are only permitted between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. from May 15 through August 15. All other times are 8am to Sunset. Class III.
(f) Age restrictions for the operation of a motorized watercraft:
i. No person under 10 years of age may operate a motorboat. Class II.
ii. No person born on or after January 1, 1998, unless exempted by subsection (i) of Illinois General Assembly (625 ILCS 45/5-18), shall operate a motorboat with over 10 horsepower unless that person has a valid Boating Safety Certificate issued by the Department of Natural Resources or an entity or organization recognized and approved by the Department. Class II.
iii. Persons at least 10 years of age and less than 12 years of age may operate a motorboat with over 10 horsepower only if the person is under the direct on-board supervision of a parent or guardian who meets the requirements of (ii) above or a person at least 18 years of age who meets the requirements of (ii) above and is designated by a parent or guardian. Class II.
iv. Persons age 12-17 may operate a motorboat with over 10 horsepower only if the person meets the requirements of (ii) above or is under the direct on‐board supervision of a parent or guardian who meets the requirements of (ii) above or a person at least 18 years of age who meets the requirements of (ii) above and is designated by a parent or guardian. Class II.
v. The owner of a motorboat or a person given supervisory authority over a motorboat shall not permit a motorboat with over 10 horsepower to be operated by a person who does not meet the Boating Safety Certificate requirements of the Illinois General Assembly (625 ILCS 45/5-18). Class II.
(g) Any watercraft operator involved in a boating accident must report such accident to the General Manager or Security as soon as possible, but not later than two hours after the occurrence. Class II.
2. Speed Limits
(a) No watercraft may be operated at any time at a speed above 30 mph. Strictly enforced. Class III.
(b) The racing of watercraft is strictly prohibited. Class III.
3. Traffic Regulations
(a) Traffic flow of motorized watercraft must be in a counterclockwise direction around the lake including the no wake zone. First offense - Class II; Second offense – Class III.
(b) Crossing the lake is allowed perpendicular to the shore. Class III.
(c) No watercraft shall be operated in any restricted areas which are marked by buoys or which may be otherwise designated from time to time. First offense - Class II; Second offense - Class III.
(d) Moving buoys is strictly prohibited. Class III.
4. Wake Conditions
“No wake” speed is defined by the United States Coast Guard as a speed whereby there is no "white" water in the track or path of the vessel or in created waves immediate to the vessel.
(a) When the lake is 4" over pool stage (elev. 580'4") or 36” below pool (elev. 577'), the entire lake will be posted "No Wake” until the level of the lake decreases beyond 575’ and is expected to maintain or exceed that level. No watercraft shall be operated in such a manner during “No Wake” posting as to cause a wake. Class III.
(b) No watercraft shall be operated in such a manner that a wake will be caused while entering or operating in designated "No Wake" zones on the lake. Class II.
5. Skiing and Towing
(a) Neither a watercraft towing a person nor the towed person may enter any "No Wake" restricted areas that are marked by buoys or which may otherwise be designated from time to time. Class II.
(b) Kites, jumps and slalom courses are prohibited on both lakes at all times unless Board written approval is provided to the requesting member for a specific purpose, function or event. Class II.
(c) When towing a person on water skis, aquaplane or similar device, the towing vessel must have a certified capacity of at least three persons, and must be occupied by at least two people, one of which serves as a spotter to alert the driver of the watercraft when the skier goes down. Class III.
(d) Flags Required:
i. A downed skier warning flag is required equipment for towing. It must be bright orange and a minimum of 12” square. The flag is to be displayed by the spotter when a person is downed and must be visible for 360˚. Class II.
ii. Per the State of Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the operator of any watercraft that is towing a person or persons shall display on the watercraft a bright or brilliant orange flag measuring not less than 12 inches per side. The flag shall be displayed at the highest point of the area surrounding the boat's helm as to be visible from all directions, continuously, while the person or persons being towed depart the boat in preparation for towing and until re-entry into the boat when the activity has ceased. Class II.
(e) All watercraft operators in the vicinity of a displayed downed skier warning flag are required to operate at idle speed if closer than 100’ to the watercraft displaying the flag. Class III.
(f) Any watercraft following in the path of another watercraft pulling a towable device must stay a minimum of 300' back and 100' to either side of the towboat and its towable device. Class III.