Boating rules.
Tulsa Revised Ordinances tit. 11-C, § 412
in effectSection 412. - Boating rules.
In addition to any rules of the road or other regulations provided by the laws of the State of Oklahoma, the following rules shall apply to all boats operated upon the waters of the Spavinaw Reservoir Area:
A. No boat, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, shall be permitted upon the waters of the reservoir area unless it is not less than twelve (12) feet in length, fifteen (15) inches in depth and with a beam of forty-four (44) inches, having flotation compartments, and is, in the opinion of the Mayor, seaworthy.
B. No boat shall be powered by an outboard motor of greater horsepower than is recommended by the manufacturer of the boat; if the manufacturer's specification in such regard is not set forth on a boat, the Director shall assign a maximum horsepower rating for such boat;
C. All boats shall be equipped with all the safety equipment required by the laws of the State of Oklahoma;
D. No boat or craft equipped with a toilet with overboard discharge shall be permitted;
E. No person under sixteen (16) years of age shall operate any boat except under the direct supervision of a qualified operator over the age of sixteen (16) years;
F. No person who is under the influence of any intoxicating beverage or drug shall operate any boat;
G. No person shall operate any boat in a reckless or careless manner;
H. No person shall be towed behind any boat on water skis, aquaplane, surfboard or other similar device;
I. No sailboat or jet ski shall be permitted;
J. Kayaks, canoes and punts may be permitted by the Mayor in the shallow areas of the lakes, provided that they are in his opinion seaworthy, and the persons operating such boats are skilled in the operation thereof;
K. Rowboats shall have the right of way at all times, and motor propelled boats shall keep a safe distance from them; motorboats, while cruising, shall stay not less than three hundred (300) feet from any bank or anchored fisherman; in all hollows of the lakes, travel by motor-propelled boats shall be as near to the middle of the hollow as practicable and at a speed not to exceed five (5) miles per hour;
L. No motor-propelled boats shall travel at a speed greater than eighteen (18) miles per hour within a distance of one thousand (1,000) feet from any shore line; in all cases the lighter and slower craft shall have the right of way, and speedboats shall be operated at the owner's risk; and
M. Special caution shall be used while trolling with a motor-propelled boat in any hollow or cove or around points to show proper consideration to the rights of anchored fishermen, bank fishermen or boat fishermen fishing toward the bank.
N. No boat shall be permitted upon the waters of the reservoir area that has evidence of zebra or quagga mussels present.
(Ord. No. 22850, § 1, 3-28-2013, eff. 4-1-2013; Ord. No. 24254, § 9, 10-30-19)
Source: City of Tulsa, Revised Ordinances and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ok/tulsa/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_TIT11-CWASE_CH4SPWADI_S412BORUFetched: 10/28/2026