News Release Archive

Buoy Placements at Lake Cascade Not in Compliance

Media Contact: David Walsh, (208) 378-5026, dwalsh@usbr.gov
Warren Sedlacek, wsedlacek@usbr.gov

For Release: August 24, 2010

The Bureau of Reclamation would like to remind the public about the rules and regulations for mooring and regulatory buoys being placed in Lake Cascade, which is about 21 miles long and situated between the cities of Cascade and Donnelly, Idaho.

Mooring buoys must be permitted by Reclamation and they must meet U.S. Coast Guard standards. They must be white in color with a horizontal reflective blue band and be identified with the permit number, owner's name, address, and telephone number. Regulations also state that mooring buoys may not be placed in excess of 100 feet from the shoreline.

The Valley County Sheriff's Department will remove illegal mooring buoys because they pose a hazard to other boaters.

"The appropriate placement and secure anchoring of these buoys are important to keeping the boating public safe," said Warren Sedlacek, Reclamation Natural Resource Specialist. "Illegal buoys that are improperly placed could result in boating accidents and personal injury."

There have also been reports of the illegal placement of regulatory buoys, such as the "No Wake" buoys. Regulatory buoys can only be placed by the Valley County Sheriff's Department. Any regulatory buoys not placed by the local law enforcement officials will also be removed.

Homeowners living adjacent to the lake are encouraged to contact the Valley County Sheriff's Department for a regulation buoy. Law enforcement will review the situation and placement of the buoy.

Cascade Dam, which impounds Lake Cascade, is located on the North Fork of the Payette River. It was constructed in 1948 and serves as a multipurpose facility, providing water for irrigation, hydropower production, recreation, and flood controls.

If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Warren Sedlacek, Natural Resource Specialist with the Bureau of Reclamation at (208) 382-4258 or Sergeant Jason Speer at the Valley County Sheriff's Department at (208) 382-7150.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.