News Release

Modified boat horsepower rule to be implemented in 2024

3 aluminum flat bottom jet boats are on the edge of the river during the fall. a generator is in the boat with gigging rails on the front.
The new rule on motorboats will clarify horsepower ratings for both motors with jet propulsion units and motors with propellors, which produce differing outputs.

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News Release Date: December 12, 2023

Contact: Dena Matteson, (573) 323-4814

VAN BUREN, Mo - The National Park Service (NPS) is preparing a final rule on motorboat horsepower for Ozark National Scenic Riverways (ONSR). The final rule will be published in the Federal Register on December 12, 2023, with implementation of the rule to begin January 11, 2024.   

 

Changes to motorboat rules were originally proposed in the 2015 ONSR General Management Plan (GMP) to create seasonal non-motorized zones, legalize the use of 60/40 horsepower (HP) motors, and establish a 150 HP limit between Big Spring and the park’s southern boundary on the Current River.   

 

After analyzing public comments on the proposed rule received in early 2022, the NPS determined that the 150 HP limit should be extended north of Big Spring to the southern end of Van Buren Gap (approximately 1.3 miles that was previously limited to 60 HP). With this change, the HP limit on the Current River from the southern end of the Van Buren Gap to the park’s southern boundary will be 150 HP. This will make the area more consistent and less confusing for visitors, more enforceable from a law enforcement perspective, and would relieve some parking congestion at the Big Spring boat ramp.

 

The other amendments to the special regulation for motorized vessels (36 CFR 7.83) will proceed as proposed in the 2015 GMP. These changes will create seasonal non-motorized zones on the upper stretches of both rivers during “peak season” and legalize the use of 60/40 HP motors with jet propulsion. Peak season begins the day after the last day of the statewide spring trapping season on public lands and ends on the day before the first day of gigging season for nongame fish. These dates are determined annually by the Missouri Department of Conservation. For the 2024 season those peak season dates are April 1 through September 14. 

 

This modification to the special regulation requires an amendment to the original proposal in the park’s 2015 Final GMP. Details about the amendment, including updated charts and maps, are documented in an Errata Sheet which can be viewed at National Park Service - PEPC - Ozark National Scenic Riverways (nps.gov). To view the Errata Sheet, click on the link entitled “Modify Motorboat Horsepower Zoning in 2015 GMP” and then select “Document List.”

 

The final rule can be viewed on the Federal Register at Federal Register :: Ozark National Scenic Riverways; Motorized Vessels .  The following tables are included in the final rule and summarize the changes for each river: 

Table 1: Current River 

Current River 

Section of River 

Maximum Horsepower During Peak Season 

Maximum Horsepower During Off-Peak Season 

Upper Section 

 

Northern boundary downstream to Round Spring 

 

Motorized vessels prohibited 

25 hp (motor with jet unit) 

 

18 hp (motor with propeller) 

Middle Section 

 

Round Spring downstream to upper (northern) end of the Van Buren Gap 

60 hp (motor with jet unit) 

 

40 hp (motor with propeller) 

60 hp (motor with jet unit) 

 

40 hp (motor with propeller) 

Lower Section 

 

Lower (southern) end of the Van Buren Gap downstream to the southern boundary of the Riverways 

150 hp (motor with jet unit) 

 

105 hp (motor with propeller) 

150 hp (motor with jet unit) 

 

105 hp (motor with propeller) 

 

Table 2: Jacks Fork River 

Jacks Fork River 

Section of River 

Maximum Horsepower During Peak Season 

Maximum Horsepower During Off-Peak Season 

Upper Section  

 

Western boundary downstream to the upper (western) boundary of the Eminence Gap 

 

Motorized vessels prohibited 

25 hp (motor with jet unit) 

 

18 hp (motor with propeller) 

Middle Section 

 

Lower (eastern) boundary of the Eminence Gap downstream to Two Rivers 

60 hp (motor with jet unit) 

 

40 hp (motor with propeller) 

60 hp (motor with jet unit) 

 

40 hp (motor with propeller) 

 

For additional information about the horsepower regulation for Ozark National Scenic Riverways, call (573) 323-4236 or visit the park website at www.nps.gov/ozar
 

Ozark National Scenic Riverways preserves 134 miles of the free-flowing Current and Jacks Fork rivers, the surrounding resources, and the unique cultural heritage of the Ozark people.  Learn more at www.nps.gov/ozar.  Find us on Facebook @ozarkriverways and on Instagram @ozarkriverwaysnps.
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 425 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.



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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 490
Van Buren, MO 63965

Phone:

(573) 323-4236
Call (573) 323-4236 for Big Spring Entrance Station, located south of Van Buren, MO. Call (573) 226-3945 for the Alley Spring General Store, located west of Eminence, MO. Call (573) 858-3297 for Round Spring Ranger Station, located north of Eminence, MO.

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