As we approach another holiday weekend on Potter Lake, we ask that you please do your part to keep everyone safe. While most people enjoy the water respectfully, we have already witnessed some unsafe behavior.
The Potter Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District is committed to preserving the health, safety, and enjoyment of Potter Lake for all. As part of this mission, boating rules have been established to help maintain, protect, and improve the quality of our lake.
These rules are readily accessible and have been distributed in a variety of ways:
- Posted at the public boat landing
- Shared by our Clean Boats, Clean Waters volunteers with visitors headed onto the lake
- Distributed to all riparian owners at their homes at the end of May
- Included in Welcome Committee packets given to new riparian property owners
- A digital copy is also available via our website: https://www.potterslake.org/lake-rules.
Each riparian owner is responsible for ensuring that guests are aware of the rules. We are all accountable for the safety of lake activities. Recent concerns were primarily related to speed limits, right-of-way, and personal safety:
Speed Limits
- Speeds are limited to slow-no-wake:
- From sunrise to 10:00 a.m. and from 7:00 p.m. to sunrise on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
- Daily between sunrise and 8:00 a.m. and after sunset.
- Slow-no-wake” means the slowest possible speed to maintain steerage.
- At all other times, speeds will be reasonable and prudent with regard for the conditions existing at the time.
- SLOW - NO WAKE within 200 feet of shore or within 100 feet of piers, rafts, buoyed restricted areas, and anchored boats. This means operating your boat or personal watercraft at the slowest possible speed while still maintaining steerage control. This speed is typically 5 mph or less.
Right of Way
- Boats / PWCs may not be operated within 100 feet of another boat or person being towed.
- All boats / PWCs must navigate in a counter-clockwise direction on weekends and holidays.
- Boats to the right have the right-of-way. Pass to the right. Motorboats must yield to non-motorized boats.
Personal Safety
- No swimming beyond slow-no-wake zones unless accompanied by a boat.
- All persons being towed behind a boat or PWC must wear an approved personal flotation device.
- All vessels (including canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards) must have one approved personal floatation device (PFD) per person, regardless of length. While it is not required to wear a PFD when on canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, or other non-motorized vessels, it is HIGHLY recommended.
Though the Lake District board members certainly empathize with riparian owner concerns about unsafe behavior, we cannot police or enforce rule infractions. If you observe any unlawful or unsafe activity, contact the Town of East Troy Police Department at (262) 642-3700. Your complaint should describe the problem, including the date and time. If possible, include a photo or video of the boat or PWC with the registration number visible. Of course, in an emergency, please dial 9-1-1!
As you know, unsafe actions on a lake can have devastating consequences. We must all continue to work together to inform our friends and neighbors of the rules, follow the rules on the water, and report unsafe and unlawful behavior promptly. Let’s be careful out there, and have a great summer!