Mufflers - Fire Extinguishers & Motor Size Restrictions in Kentucky
Mufflers and Noise Levels in Kentucky
Power vessels must be equipped with a functioning and effective muffler system in order to reduce the engine exhaust sound level. It is not legal to operate a boat if the muffler has been modified to result in increased noise.
Fire Extinguishers regulations in Kentucky
Fire extinguishers (hand-portable type B-I or B-II) must be carried on board all vessels (including PWC) equipped with a device (engine, stove, lantern etc.) that consumes a petroleum product such as gasoline, kerosene, propane, etc.
Locks, Dams and Restricted Areas in Kentucky
Below locks and dams on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers waterways and the Kentucky River, boat occupants must wear a PFD upstream of danger signs and open-diamond buoys or within 150 feet of the downstream lock and dam wall.
Dams are either conventional or "low head" type; boaters should be alert for these structures. Conventional dams are easily recognizable with their spillways and power installations. However, low head dams are not as recognizable, especially when water is flowing over them; they are therefore more dangerous.
It is the flow of water over the low head dam that creates a “boil” on the lower side. Boaters risk almost certain death if caught in this turbulence. Low head dams are usually marked with “keep out” buoys or “danger” signs above and below.
Kentucky law prohibits boats from operating within restricted areas as posted above or below navigation, power generating or flood control dams.
Always wear a PFD when entering any area above or below a dam.
Motor Size Restrictions in Kentucky
Maximum horsepower limits and other boat motor and lake usage regulations apply on many small public fishing lakes.
Operation of electric or internal combustion motors is prohibited on:
Lake Chumley, Dennie Gooch Lake, Kingdom Come Lake.
Operation of internal combustion motors is prohibited on:
Ballard WMA lakes, Benjy Kinman Lake, Bert T. Combs Lake, Briggs Lake, Carpenter and Kingfisher lakes, Carter Caves State Park Lake (a.k.a. Smoky Valley Lake), Lebanon City Lake (a.k.a. Fagan Branch Lake), Fishpond Lake, Lincoln Homestead State Park Lake, McNeely Lake, Marion County Lake, Martin County Lake, Metcalfe County Lake, Mauzy Lake, Mill Creek Lake, Lake Reba, Spurlington Lake, Swan Lake WMA (excluding Swan Lake), Washburn Lake, Pikeville City Lake.
