Personal Watercraft Regulations

 
Illustration of a sit-on-top personal watercraft.

What is a Personal Watercraft (PWC)?

36 CFR §1.4 - Personal watercraft refers to a vessel, usually less than 16 feet in length, which uses an inboard, internal combustion engine powering a water jet pump as its primary source of propulsion. The vessel is intended to be operated by a person or persons sitting, standing or kneeling on the vessel, rather than within the confines of the hull.

The length is measured from end to end over the deck excluding sheer, meaning a straight line measurement of the overall length from the foremost part of the vessel to the aftermost part of the vessel, measured parallel to the centerline. Bowsprits, bumpkins, rudders, outboard motor brackets and similar fittings or attachments, are not included in the measurement. Length is stated in feet and inches.

Special PWC Regulations, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

36 CFR §7.70(e) - PWC. (1) A person may launch and operate a PWC in park waters or beach a PWC on park lands, except in the following areas:

(i) On the Colorado River between Glen Canyon Dam and the downstream river boundary of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area where it adjoins Grand Canyon National Park.

(ii) On the Colorado River upstream of Sheep Canyon.

(iii) On the San Juan River upstream of Clay Hills pullout.

(iv) On the Escalante River upstream of Coyote Creek.

(v) On the Dirty Devil River upstream of Utah Highway 95 bridge.

(2) A person may not operate a PWC at speed in excess of flat wake speed on the Escalante River from Cow Canyon to Coyote Creek.

(3) After December 31, 2012, no one may operate a PWC that does not meet the 2006 emission standards set by EPA for the manufacturing of two-stroke engines. A person operating a PWC that meets the EPA 2006 emission standards through the use of direct injection two-stroke or four-stroke engines, or the equivalent thereof, is not subject to this prohibition and will be allowed to operate as described in this section.

(4) The Superintendent may temporarily limit, restrict or terminate access to the areas designated for PWC use after taking into consideration public health and safety, natural and cultural resource protection, and other management activities and objectives.

Regarding Personal Watercraft 2-stroke v. 4-stroke Engines

This rule only applies to personal watercrafts. Regular boats do not apply.

According to the Code of Federal Regulations Title 36, 7.70(e)(3): After December 31, 2012, no one may operate a personal watercraft (PWC) that does not meet the 2006 emission standards set by EPA for the manufacturing of two-stroke engines. A person operating a PWC that meets the EPA 2006 emission standards through the use of direct injection two-stroke or four-stroke engines, or the equivalent thereof, is not subject to this prohibition and will be allowed to operate as described in this section.

This rule is a part of the 2003 Record of Decision for the Environmental Impact Statement for PWC Rule-making in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area to reduce water and noise pollution.

There was a ten year delay of implementation of this rule to allow PWC owners time to transition. The rule was announced in 2003 and became effective January 1, 2013.

Can I modify my engine?

The regulation requires a person operating a personal watercraft to meet the EPA 2006 emission standards through the use of direct-injection two-stroke or four-stroke engines, or the equivalent thereof.

I have an oil injected two stroke. Is that the same as a direct injection two stroke?

No. Oil injected two-strokes are still carbureted and require a fuel-oil mixture to enter the combustion chamber. Direct injection two strokes are not carbureted and fuel and oil are not mixed.

How do I know if my PWC is compliant?

Look at your PWC engine. Engines that meet the regulation should have an emission control information label that clearly states that they conform to 2006 or later clean emissions standards.

The following information has been provided to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area by PWC manufacturers. If your vessel is not listed below and you do not know whether your vessel meets the 2006 EPA emission standards for two-stroke engines, please contact the engine manufacturer or servicing mechanic.

HONDA
All Honda PWCs are compliant with the 2006 EPA emissions standards and therefore are permitted on Lake Powell.

YAMAHA
All Yamaha models 2006 and later and the following Yamaha PWCs have an emission level compliant with 2006 EPA standards and are therefore permitted on Lake Powell.

Year

Model Name

2003

FX-1000AC-B

FX 1000C-B

2004

FX 1000C-C

FX1000AC-C

FX1100-C

FX1100C-C

FX1100A-C

FX1100AC-C

GP1300C-C

2005

FX 1000D

FX1000A-D

VX1100-D

VX1100A-D

FX1100D

FX1100A-D

GP1300D

KAWASAKI
All Kawasaki models 2006 and later and the following Kawasaki PWCs except the SX-R (stand-up) have an emission level compliant with 2006 EPA standards and are therefore permitted on Lake Powell.

Year

Model Name

2000

1100STX-Di

2001

1100STX-Di

ULTRA 130-Di

2002

1100STX-Di

ULTRA 130-Di

STX-12F

2003

1100STX-Di

ULTRA 130-Di

STX-12F

2004

ULTRA 130-Di

STX-12F

STX-15F

2005

STX-12F

STX-15F

BRP SEA-DOO
All BRP Sea-Doo models 2006 and later and the following BRP Sea-Doo PWCs have an emission level compliant with 2006 EPA standards and are therefore permitted on Lake Powell.

Year

Model Name

2002

GTX 947 DI

RX 947 DI LRV 947 DI GTX 4-TEC

2003

GTX 947 DI

RX 947 DI

LRV 947 DI

XP 947 DI

GTX 4-TEC Super Charge

GTX 4-TEC Super Charge Limited

GTX 4-TEC Vans-Triple Crown

2004

GTX 4-TEC Super Charge

GTX 4-TEC Super Charge Limited GTX 4-TEC Wake Board Edition GTX 4-TEC

RXP XP 947 DI
2005

GTX Wake

RXP

RXT GTX-SC
GTX Limited GTX

How will park rangers determine if my engine isn't compliant?

Park rangers will take into account operator knowledge, the model of the vessel, the engine type, and whether it's carbureted when determining compliance with the regulation. If you do not know whether your vessel meets the 2006 EPA emission standards for two-stroke engines, please contact your manufacturer or mechanic for this information.

Where Else Can I Take My PWC?

It is best to check with federal, state, and local recreation managers for specific regulations prior to visiting a lake or river.

Last updated: June 10, 2021

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

PO Box 1507
Page, AZ 86040

Phone:

928 608-6200
Receptionist available at Glen Canyon Headquarters from 7 am to 4 pm MST, Monday through Friday. The phone is not monitored when the building is closed. If you are having an emergency, call 911 or hail National Park Service on Marine Band 16.

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