A few other things that should be noted for Boating Safety.
Maintain 100 feet distance between boats and the no wake also extends that far from docks as well. This Michigan boating regulation can be viewed at http://www.boat-ed.com/michigan/handbook/book.html Page 36.
Driving with your docks lights on is illegal, and irritating to other boaters. Just the running and anchor lights should be used. Besides, they don’t help in the middle of the lake. The regulation can be viewed at http://www.boat-ed.com/michigan/handbook/book.html on Page 29. While it does not mention docking lights, they do not fall in the category of approved lights. They are to be used as “Docking” lights, they interfere with other boaters vision, and do not provide any real distance help. I had this confirmed by a Coast Guard Auxiliary member, that lives on the Lake.
Traffic is Counter Clockwise on Lake Columbia. Counter Clock wise is a state regulation and can be viewed at http://www.boat-ed.com/michigan/handbook/book.html Page 36.
No-Wake Zones
The "No Wake Zones" on Lake Columbia are regulated by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Below are the laws and, interestingly enough, the document specifically lists each area on Lake Columbia that is in a "no wake" zone.
These zones are marked by No-Wake Buoys and when crossing into these zones, you are required to not exceed a slow, no-wake speed.
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Michigan Department of Natural Resources |
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SPECIAL LOCAL WATERCRAFT CONTROLS - JACKSON COUNTY |
LAKE COLUMBIA - WC-38-98-002 - Slow--no wake speed.
On the waters of Lake Columbia in the area commonly referred to as Stump Bay east of a line beginning on the north shore where Ambler Drive would intersect the shoreline then running directly south to the nearest point of land, all within sections 26, 27, 34 and 35, town 4 south, range 1 east, Columbia township, Jackson county, state of Michigan, it is unlawful for the operator of a vessel to exceed a slow--no wake speed.
The boundaries of the area described immediately above shall be marked with signs and with buoys. All buoys must be placed as provided in a permit issued by the Department of Natural
History: Eff. June 19, 1998
LAKE COLUMBIA - WC-38-98-003 - Slow--no wake speed.
On the waters of Lake Columbia in the area commonly referred to as Bedford Bay, all within section 28, town 4 south, range 1 east, Columbia township, Jackson county, state of Michigan, it is unlawful for the operator of a vessel to exceed a slow--no wake speed.
The boundaries of the area described immediately above shall be marked with signs and with buoys. All buoys must be placed as provided in a permit issued by the Department of Natural Resources and be in conformance with the State Uniform Waterway Marking System.
History: Eff. June 19, 1998
LAKE COLUMBIA, PORTION IN NORTHERLY PART OF BAY VIEW SHORES SUBDIVISION- R281.738.3 - Speed restriction.
3. On the waters of that part of Lake Columbia lying north of a line beginning at the southeast corner of lot number 119, thence northeasterly to the northwest corner of lot number 32, Bay View Shores subdivision, sections 22, 23, 26, and 27, town 4 south, range 1 east, township of Columbia, county of Jackson, state of Michigan, no operator of any motorboat shall exceed a slow--no wake speed.
History: Eff. May 15, 1969
LAKE COLUMBIA, PORTION IN SOUTHERLY PART OF BAY VIEW SHORES SUBDIVISION - R281.738.4 - Speed restriction.
4. On the waters of that part of Lake Columbia lying north of a line beginning at the southwest corner of lot number 188, thence northwesterly to the southernmost corner of lot number 220, in Bay View Shores subdivision, sections 22, 23, 26, and 27, town 4 south, range 1 east, township of Columbia, county of Jackson, state
History: Eff. May 15, 1969
LAKE COLUMBIA, CHANNEL IN ROYAL SHORES SUBDIVISION - R281.738.5 -
Speed restriction.
5. On the waters of the entire channel in Royal Shores subdivision in the southwest side of Lake Columbia, commencing from a line starting at the northeast corner of lot number 45 to the southeast corner of lot number 68, thence northwesterly, thence northeasterly, thence easterly, to a line at the end of the channel, from a point which is the northeast corner of park lot number 2 to the southeast corner of park lot number 3, in Royal Shores subdivision, part of the east ½ of section 33 and part of the west ½ of the southwest ¼ of section 34, town 4 south, range 1 east, township of Columbia, county of Jackson, state of Michigan, no operator of any motorboat shall exceed a slow--no wake speed.
History: Eff. May 15, 1969
LAKE COLUMBIA, PORTION IN HOLIDAY SHORES SUBDIVISION - R281.738.6 -
Speed restriction.
6. On the water of that part of Lake Columbia lying northeasterly of a line beginning from the southwest corner of lot number 31, thence southeasterly to the northwest corner of lot number 102, of Holiday Shores subdivision, sections 22, 23, 26, and 27, town 4 south, range 1 east, township of Columbia, county of Jackson, state of Michigan, no operator of any motorboat shall exceed a slow--no wake speed.
History: Eff. May 15, 1969
LAKE COLUMBIA, PORTION IN GRAND POINTE SHORES SUBDIVISION - R281.738.7 - Speed restriction.
7. On the waters of that part of Lake Columbia lying south and west of a line beginning from the easterly most corner of lot number 99 extending to the northerly most corner of lot number 76 in Grand Pointe Shores subdivision, part of the northeast ¼ of section 33 and part of the southeast ¼ of section 28, town 4 south, range 1 east, township of Columbia, county of Jackson, state of Michigan, no operator of any motorboat shall exceed a slow--no wake speed.
History: Eff. May 15, 1969
