South Carolina General Assembly
108th Session, 1989-1990

Bill 4771


                    Current Status

Bill Number:               4771
Ratification Number:       751
Act Number                 613
Introducing Body:          House
Subject:                   Lakes Bowen and Blalock
View additional legislative information at the LPITS web site.


(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

(A613, R751, H4771)

AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER 25, TITLE 50, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO BOATING AND SURFING AT PARTICULAR LOCATIONS, BY ADDING ARTICLE 13 SO AS TO ESTABLISH NO WAKE ZONES AND TO RESTRICT NAVIGATION, MAST HEIGHT, WATERCRAFT ENGINE SIZE, AND WATERSKIING AND SWIMMING ON LAKES WILLIAM C. BOWEN AND H. TAYLOR BLALOCK IN SPARTANBURG COUNTY, TO PROVIDE FOR OTHER REGULATIONS ON BOATING, TO AUTHORIZE THE SOUTH CAROLINA WILDLIFE AND MARINE RESOURCES DEPARTMENT TO WAIVE RESTRICTIONS BY WRITTEN PERMIT IN CONSULTATION WITH THE SPARTANBURG WATER SYSTEM, AND TO PROVIDE A PENALTY.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

Lakes Bowen and Blalock

SECTION 1. Chapter 25, Title 50 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Article 13

Restrictions Applicable to

Lakes William C. Bowen and

H. Taylor Blalock in Spartanburg County

Section 50-25-1310. On Lakes William C. Bowen and H. Taylor Blalock in Spartanburg County:

(1) There is established a no wake zone within three hundred feet of all bridges and public docks. No wake zones must be clearly marked with signs. The signs must be designed and installed by the South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department.

(2) No watercraft of any type may be operated within five hundred feet of any pump station, water intake of a dam, or spillways. These restricted areas must be clearly marked with signs. Signs must be designed and installed by the South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department.

(3) No watercraft may operate or anchor within one hundred fifty feet of public fishing piers.

(4) No sailing craft with a mast height in excess of thirty feet is permitted to operate.

(5) No wading, bathing, or swimming is permitted within two hundred feet of any public landing, bridge, or restricted area. These restricted areas must be clearly marked with signs. The signs must be designed and installed by the South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department.

(6) The lake wardens, at their discretion, may limit entrance of watercraft onto the lakes via the public landings when conditions such as overcrowding or adverse weather create an unsafe boating environment.

Section 50-25-1320. On Lake William C. Bowen:

(1) No watercraft with an outboard motor having a horsepower rating in excess of one hundred fifteen horsepower is permitted.

(2) No watercraft with an outboard motor in excess of the United States Coast Guard rating, with Coast Guard rating plate missing or changed, is permitted.

(3) No watercraft powered by an outdrive or inboard motor having an engine automotive horsepower rating in excess of one hundred eighty horsepower is permitted. This restriction does not apply to towboats which have been approved by the American Waterski Association.

(4) There is no minimum or maximum restriction on length of watercraft.

Section 50-25-1330. On Lake H. Taylor Blalock, no watercraft with an engine greater than fifteen horsepower may operate unless:

(1) the gas line has been disconnected and the engine or prop is trimmed out of water, and

(2) an electric trolling motor or engine of fifteen horsepower or less is mounted, but pontoon boats with a length greater than sixteen feet may utilize motors not greater than thirty-five horsepower.

Section 50-25-1340. On Lake H. Taylor Blalock, it is unlawful to waterski or tow rafts, discs, or any other similar floating devices.

Section 50-25-1350. On Lake William C. Bowen it is unlawful to:

(1) waterski or tow rafts, discs, or other similar floating devices within three hundred feet of any bridge or within one hundred feet of public dock facilities of the Spartanburg Water System;

(2) waterski and tow rafts, discs, or other similar floating devices upstream and west of the Interstate Highway 26 bridge which crosses over Lake William C. Bowen;

(3) pull more than two skiers at one time from any boat or to waterski while carrying one or more persons piggyback;

(4) operate a watercraft between midnight and one hour before sunrise.

Section 50-25-1360. The South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department, after consultation with the Spartanburg Water System, by special permit, may waive the restrictions and provisions of Sections 50-25-1310 through 50-25-1350 to allow for boat testing, water and ski shows, and similar activities. It is unlawful to violate the terms and conditions of the permit.

Section 50-25-1370. A person violating a provision of this article is guilty of a misdemeanor and must be punished as provided in Section 50-1-130."

Time effective

SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Approved the 18th day of July, 1990.