By Susan Thompson | Lake Panorama Times
Warmer weather means Lake Panorama is starting to get busy with boats, jet skis and other watercraft. As always, the LPA security team this year is emphasizing the importance of water safety. Corey Larsen has been the LPA Security Chief since March 2021. In this month’s Q&A, Larsen answers questions about LPA boating regulations and water safety.
Q. What should watercraft owners do to prepare for the 2025 boating season?
A. A good place to start is the LPA water safety video that outlines specific rules related to Lake Panorama. Go to the LPA website at lakepanorama.org and click on the Helpful Links tab to access this video. Also, information about Iowa boating laws is on the DNR’s boating website at iowadnr.gov/Things-to-Do/Boating.
A reminder, LPA members must have their Iowa DNR registration up-to-date and their current LPA stickers on the vessel before it goes in the water.
Fire extinguishers and floatation devices are key safety items. Boats with greater than 10 horsepower are required by Iowa law to have at least one Type B-I fire extinguisher onboard the vessel. Some larger boats are required to have one B-II fire extinguisher, or two B-I fire extinguishers. Boat owners should check extinguishers to make sure these are ready if needed.
All vessels are required to have at least one United States Coast Guard approved life jacket for each person on board. In addition, vessels over 16-feet in length must have a throwable floatation device, excluding kayaks and canoes. Iowa Law requires children under 13 years of age to wear their life jacket while the vessel is underway.
Q. When LPA members receive their boat stickers, they also are given a printed copy of the LPA boating regulations. What’s new for 2025?
A. The language in the section regarding the center channel buoys has been modified. As always, you must stay to the right of the center channel buoys. New is that reversal of direction of travel against traffic is prohibited. Vessels are not allowed to do spins and turns against traffic on the same side of the buoys. You are only allowed to turn against traffic to pick up a downed skier or other person who needs retrieved. This change was made in the interest of safety for those operating personal watercraft, but applies to all watercraft.
We are taking the ‘keep right’ buoy out of the upper basin closest to the debris trap, so the upper basin will not have directional travel after the first buoy west of the Narrows. Now the two areas without center channel buoys are the Main basin and Upper basin. These are the only two areas where spins and turns can be done without any directional travel.
Q. Once LPA members have their boats on the lake, what are some things they need to remember?
A. Boat operators often misunderstand boat capacity rules. Most boats are rated for a maximum number of persons and a maximum total weight. Boat operators are not allowed to exceed either of these numbers. This is especially relevant with young people who weigh less than adults. Regardless of how small the passenger is, everyone counts as one passenger in the boat capacity limit.
When a watercraft is anchored, at least one person must be on board the water vessel at all times. This goes for personal watercraft as well as boats. This is important when boaters decide to anchor and take a swim, or tie together with another boat.
Boaters need to understand the various types of buoys deployed by the LPA staff each spring. Centerline buoys mark the channel of the lake, with boaters travelling on the right-hand side of the buoys. These buoys are marked with a flashing or steady white light to be visible at night. Hazard buoys are placed in areas that are known to be shallow or hazardous. These buoys are not a guarantee of exact hazard location but are a warning to steer clear of that general area. Hazard buoys are marked with a flashing or steady amber lights. Remember, when boating at night, avoid amber lights and stay immediately to the right of white lights.
In 2018, a map showing the type and location of all buoys was proposed by the water safety committee and approved by the LPA board. This buoy map is provided to members along with their stickers and LPA boating regulations. The map also is available on the LPA website. Go to the Documents tab, then the Boating Items tab to access it.
LPA members need to make sure their guests are familiar with the different types of buoys, plus Iowa DNR and LPA rules and requirements, before they are allowed to operate the member’s vessels.
Boaters who don’t obey the rules related to buoys risk being stopped by a security officer and given either a warning or a ticket. Also in place is a rule concerning the moving of buoys. Intentional vandalism or relocation of buoys will result in an automatic third offense, which under LPA rules is a $500 fine and loss of boating privileges for the season.
Q. Review rules related to prevention of invasive species in Lake Panorama.
A. Any vessel leaving any other lake must be cleaned, all compartments drained, and the vessel should dry at least five days before re-entering Lake Panorama. The vessel owner must contact LPA Security to schedule an inspection. They must be able to show they have not been on an infested lake, have no water in compartments, no plant debris or mud, or any other sign of potential contamination. This is an Iowa law and is enforceable with a $500 fine. The LPA also has set fines for violators and for falsified information on questionnaires.
Another LPA rule related to invasives species prevention requires members who want to bring in used pieces of equipment like docks or lifts to have the equipment inspected by LPA security. From the date of inspection, once the equipment is cleaned and has passed inspection, members must find an offshore location to store the equipment for a minimum of 30 days. This allows any potential invasives to perish before the equipment enters the lake. Members should always call the LPA office ahead of time if they are considering purchasing a used dock or lift.
Q. What is the rule regarding towing in the Narrows?
A. Safety is the reason towing is not allowed in the Narrows during times of high boat traffic. The Narrows is limited to no towing (tubes, skiers, or any other towed devices) and wake surfing from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day to Labor Day. If boat traffic is especially heavy at other times, security officers have the authority to put flags on the markers to show no towing is allowed.
Two buoys have been installed, with one on each end of the Narrows. These buoys state the 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. towing restrictions for weekends and holidays and also when flags are displayed. As with other buoys on the lake, these buoys are white and orange, yet significantly larger.
If security officers see you towing in the Narrows during the restricted hours, or other times when it is deemed unsafe, they can issue a warning or a citation.
Q. What fines are in place to help enforce the LPA rules that promote water safety?
A. I want to emphasize LPA Security’s primary goal is to educate members, promote safety and ensure unsafe behavior is corrected. LPA issues fines, if needed, to accomplish our goals for safe boating. But our hope is members conduct themselves appropriately and our need to issue fines is minimal.
The LPA schedule of fines includes $100 for the first offense, $250 for the second offense and $500 plus loss of lake privileges for third offense. LPA has a special section in our rules that provides for increased fines and penalties for any member who threatens or harasses an LPA officer. It is a violation of LPA rules to threaten or try to intimidate a security officer, or to verbally abuse an officer in a profane manner. Members have the right to appeal any LPA fines to the LPA appeals committee, which is comprised of five LPA members appointed for this specific purpose.
LPA Security has the right to stop a boat at any time if a rule violation is suspected, or to make sure all required equipment is aboard. The Security Department uses body cameras to help us monitor interactions between officers and people we come in contact with. It is our goal to ensure every officer interaction is professional and respectful for all parties involved.
Q. Any final comments?
A. A reminder to stay off the sandy area in the upper basin on the north side. This is an LPA lot, which is designed for LPA staff to use as needed. It is not maintained as a beach or recreation area. For safety reasons, the LPA does not allow swimming, grilling or any member use of this area.
LPA’s rules related to boating are geared to improving safety on Lake Panorama. All boaters should practice safe boating. For instance, stay a safe distance from other boats and people being towed or wake surfing. Have a plan for the boating party, including having a sober person operate the vessel.
We have a full staff in place for water patrol for 2025 and will do our best to make sure the water patrol security officers are keeping people safe.
LPA Security’s phone number is 641-757-9035. I encourage members to get this number in their cell phones and contact LPA Security with questions or concerns. In the case of a fire, medical or police emergency, call 911.