Lake Washington Mooring Rules (Seattle, WA, USA)
 

Does anyone know the rules for mooring a boat in Lake Washington. I've
called every bureaucracy I can think of and no-one seems to regulate
this. Does this mean I can just setup a mooring wherever I want in
Lake Washington (that seems suspect)?

Hi Ben
Is Lake Washington a Corp of Engineers lake? If so, the chances of
mooring a boat is pretty slim (or none).
JR


ben wiseley wrote:

Does anyone know the rules for mooring a boat in Lake Washington. I've
called every bureaucracy I can think of and no-one seems to regulate
this. Does this mean I can just setup a mooring wherever I want in
Lake Washington (that seems suspect)?

You can't anchor anywhere in the City of Seattle except in a designated
area of Andrews Bay in Seward Park. There is an exception for the
Opening Day ceremonies in the Montlake Reach.

This old law dates back to the late 60's or early 70's, when a "hippie
barge" anchored off Matthews Beach park. Everytime the cops would show
up for a raid, all the contraband went overboard. Was a rather neat
arrangement. The neighbors were not amused. "Those kids have long hair!
They're listening to rock 'n roll music! A bunch of them are probably
against the war in Viet Nam! Get those damn communists off our beach!"

Somebody advised the city attorney that the only way, for sure, to get
rid of the hippie barge and prevent it just simply showing up off
another park someplace was to ban achoring in the City of Seattle. And
so the law stands today.

If you own lakeside property, you can probably get a permit to put a
permanent mooring buoy in front of your house. (These days, if you have
lakeside property, you can probably afford a boat that will require a
200 foot commercial pier). :-)

If the City of Seattle doesn't issue permits, check with the Corp of
Engineers. They control the level of the lake, etc, at the locks.
Unless you own the property immediately ashore, however, I think you're
out of luck.

They must make exceptions for Husky Football in Garbage Bay. Other than rafting to the WAC docs, which requires a permit on game day, I see at least 50 other boats anchored for the full five hours on six Saturdays in the Fall.

Maybe anchoring outside the Montlake Cut channel in Garbage Bay is OK.

Other than that I'm not sure.

Good luck, and GO HUSKIES!