News Release

Modified boat horsepower rule to be implemented in 2024

The new rule on motorboats will clarify horsepower ratings for both motors with jet propulsion units and motors with propellors, which produce differing outputs.

NPS Photo

News Release Date: December 12, 2023

Contact: Dena Matteson, [phone]

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 [phone] 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.