New HP rules

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News Release: Modified boat horsepower rule to be implemented in 2024

https://www.nps.gov/.../modified-boat-horsepower-rule-to...

The National Park Service (NPS) has issued a final rule on motorboat horsepower (HP) within Ozark National Scenic Riverways (ONSR).

Changes to motorboat rules were originally proposed in the 2015 General Management Plan (GMP), which highlighted the need to legalize the use of 60/40 HP motors using jet propulsion. The GMP also proposed a 150 HP limit south of Big Spring on the Current River and seasonal non-motorized zones during “peak season” on the upper stretches of both rivers, when lower water levels make navigation more difficult.

After evaluating public feedback on the proposed rule, the NPS prepared a final rule on motorboat horsepower and will soon implement changes within ONSR. These changes create the seasonal non-motorized zones, legalize the use of outboard 60/40 HP motors, and establish a 150 HP limit between the southern end of the Van Buren gap and the park’s southern boundary. These changes will go into effect on January 11, 2024.

For further details, handy reference guides, and links to supporting documentation, visit our new Horsepower Limits page: https://www.nps.gov/ozar/horsepower-limits.htm

[jdmidwest]

Both links are broken.  Looks like it's throttle down on lower stretch. Wonder where boat races will be this year.

It had been 60/40 from Big Spring to 2 Rivers, then 25 above.  Looks like 2 Rivers and above may go to float only.

Wonder if they did anything on 11 pt?

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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)

 

[awhuber]

41 minutes ago, jdmidwest said:

Both links are broken.  Looks like it's throttle down on lower stretch. Wonder where boat races will be this year.

It had been 60/40 from Big Spring to 2 Rivers, then 25 above.  Looks like 2 Rivers and above may go to float only.

Wonder if they did anything on 11 pt?

The Forest Service makes the rules for the 11pt.

 

[awhuber]

The new rules look pretty good. No motors during float season and gives us upper river folks a HP boost!

[jdmidwest]

11 hours ago, awhuber said:

The Forest Service makes the rules for the 11pt.

 

Different type of scenic riverway.

[jdmidwest]

I have never seen the Van Buren Gap, or the Eminence Gap on a topo or river map.  Why don't they just call it out by river ramp?

Weekends are sketchy no matter what part of the river you are running with a jet.  Other boats or floaters.  I always run out of a put in ramp early on Sunday morning and run upstream on the long run.  Drift back slowly until  the floaters catch up then stay in front of the mess.  Usually get 4 to 5 hours good fishing in and sun is usually getting too high and hot for the fish to bite.

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30 minutes ago, jdmidwest said:

I have never seen the Van Buren Gap, or the Eminence Gap on a topo or river map.  Why don't they just call it out by river ramp?

Weekends are sketchy no matter what part of the river you are running with a jet.  Other boats or floaters.  I always run out of a put in ramp early on Sunday morning and run upstream on the long run.  Drift back slowly until  the floaters catch up then stay in front of the mess.  Usually get 4 to 5 hours good fishing in and sun is usually getting too high and hot for the fish to bite.

That’s how I do it.   I leave at the first sign of a floater.   And hope the ramp isn’t choked with day drinkers putting in boats.  

[tanvat]

It is ridiculous the NPS took nearly a decade to come to the grand conclusion that 60 HP jets are appropriate on the the Current above Two Rivers - or, for that matter, anywhere in ONSR.   So everyone can have "access," may as well let ATVs drive up the Thorofare in Yellowstone (its flat) or on the trails at Hawn.  It certainly satisfies a vocal minority of river users, but it certainly doesn't respect the resource.  Don't get me wrong, I've come across some great, nice people on jets on the Current and 11-pt - probably including some members on this forum.  I've seen families out and about having a great time on their jets while party floaters cause a ruckus and behave like complete POS.  The party floaters descend on on maybe a dozen Saturdays a year from 9 - 5 and are then mostly gone.  But a couple (or 20) 60 HP jets blasting  up and down the river all day, every day is just incompatible with what should be the crown jewel of the Missouri outdoors.  It allows a single person, no matter how nice and respectful they are, to have the impact of dozens of obnoxious floaters.  Its like the difference between someone walking down the sidewalk and a train rolling down the tracks.   Oh well, it is what is.  It will come down to people's capacity for respect and self-restraint which, sadly, is lacking.  

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2 hours ago, tanvat said:

It is ridiculous the NPS took nearly a decade to come to the grand conclusion that 60 HP jets are appropriate on the the Current above Two Rivers - or, for that matter, anywhere in ONSR.   So everyone can have "access," may as well let ATVs drive up the Thorofare in Yellowstone (its flat) or on the trails at Hawn.  It certainly satisfies a vocal minority of river users, but it certainly doesn't respect the resource.  Don't get me wrong, I've come across some great, nice people on jets on the Current and 11-pt - probably including some members on this forum.  I've seen families out and about having a great time on their jets while party floaters cause a ruckus and behave like complete POS.  The party floaters descend on on maybe a dozen Saturdays a year from 9 - 5 and are then mostly gone.  But a couple (or 20) 60 HP jets blasting  up and down the river all day, every day is just incompatible with what should be the crown jewel of the Missouri outdoors.  It allows a single person, no matter how nice and respectful they are, to have the impact of dozens of obnoxious floaters.  Its like the difference between someone walking down the sidewalk and a train rolling down the tracks.   Oh well, it is what is.  It will come down to people's capacity for respect and self-restraint which, sadly, is lacking.  

I’m a jet owner and I agree with you.   I avoid small sections or those with floaters.