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Boating in OKC

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With temperatures soaring we are all looking for a little reprieve from the summer heat. OKC has several metro area waterways and we wanted to make sure you have the proper information to go out and enjoy them.

Permits are required for all watercraft and boating regulations must be followed to use these local waters. The permits are available in a daily or yearly option and are found on the OKC.gov site here.

What kind of crafts are allowed?

  • Authorized motorboats, ski boats & fishing boats (including those with an electric motor)
  • Personal watercraft such as Jet Ski
  • Sailboats
  • Kayaks, canoes & paddle boats

Oklahoma boat registration is also required for all watercraft, except for kayaks, canoes and paddle boats. USCG-approved safety equipment (including life-preservers) must be in use at all times while boating. 

Permit stickers should be adhered to each side of the boat near the stern. Boat owners should also carry a copy of their paper permit on their person when in the water.

Where can I boat in OKC area?

Local Reservoir

Lake Hefner

  • All watercraft are permitted, except for engine-propelled personal watercraft under 12′
  • Wakes allowed in open areas only, and not within 150′ of other watercraft, 150′ from any boat ramps or docks, or 100′ from shorelines
  • No swimming or water skiing allowed
  • Boat ramps are located at the City Boat Harbor and the Lake Patrol Station near the southwest side of the lake

Lake Overholser

  • All watercraft permitted, including personal watercraft (jet skis)
  • No swimming or water skiing allowed
  • Boat ramps are located on the east side of the lake behind the boat house and on the south end of the lake by the dam

Lake Stanley Draper

  • All watercraft permitted, including personal watercraft (jet skis)
  • Water skiing is allowed except in lake coves
  • Skiers are allowed in water only to get ready to ski or immediately after they finish
  • Boat ramps are located at the Lake Draper Marina near SE and 104th and Lake Stanley Draper Drive

Oklahoma River

Oklahoma River, between I-35 and Portland Ave south of I-40 in downtown Oklahoma City

  • All watercraft permitted, including personal watercraft (jet skis)
  • The Oklahoma River is a no-wake zone
  • Watercraft must stay at least 100 feet away from dams and locks
  • Boat ramps located near the Lincoln Avenue Bridge, on the Exchange Avenue Bridge and at SW 15 and Portland.
  • Fishing floats are authorized for use (must be USCG certified) in the wetland ponds. Floats may be used only during daylight hours, and only in coves, necks, and areas within 100 feet of the shoreline. 

Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge

Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge, located at NW 51 and Stinchcomb

  • No wake zone
  • No boat ramps inside gated area
  • No unauthorized vehicles inside gated area
  • Water access to refuge only from Lake Overholser

Cycling in OKC

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Bikes should be treated like a vehicle when they are on the road. Unless otherwise stated, bicyclists are required to follow the same rules drivers are required to follow. Outside of high pedestrian traffic areas such as downtowns and business districts, bikes are generally allowed on sidewalks. For safety tips Click HERE

Cycling Code

1. Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted all the rights and shall be subject to all the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by the laws of this State and the traffic provisions of this Code applicable to the driver of a vehicle.

2. Cyclists must ride in the same direction as traffic.

3. Cyclists must ride as close to the right-hand side of the roadway as is safely possible. An exception is when using a road designated and marked as a bicycle route, where cyclists can use the entire right-most lane.

4. Cyclists can pass other cyclists and vehicles traveling in the same direction when safe to do so.

5. Cyclists can’t ride on sidewalks within business districts.

The Laws

  • Bicyclists are subject to all the same traffic laws as cars, unless otherwise noted. 
  • According to State law, bicyclists may proceed through red lights, but they must stop first and make sure there’s no oncoming traffic.
  • Bicyclists have to ride in the same direction as traffic, on the right side of the road, and obey all traffic signals. Some exceptions include roads designated as bicycle routes. Finally, do not ride bikes on sidewalks within business districts.

Happy Father’s Day!

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Did you know Father’s Day did not become a national holiday until 1972?

The first known Father’s Day service occurred in Fairmont, West Virginia on July 5, 1908 after hundreds of men died in the worst mining accident in US history.  Grace Golden Clayton, the daughter of a dedicated minister, proposed a service to honor all fathers, especially those who had died. Very few people outside of the local area knew about it.

National Go Fishing Day

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Celebrated since the 1950s, National Go Fishing Day is an opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds to come together and enjoy a peaceful day on the water. It’s also a great way to learn about conservation, sustainability, ecology, wildlife management and our aquatic ecosystems.

Scissortail Lake will be teaching students basic fishing skills.

June 18th 1-3pm Rods Reels and Bait Provided

Local Farmers Markets

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In Downtown OKC you can visit the Farmers Pubic Market every Sat year round 9am-2pm Check out a list of their vendors HERE

At Scissortail Park the Farmers Market opens every Sat April – October 9am-1pm and the last Wed of the month May-Sept 2-8pm Check out their market vendors HERE

The Edmond Farmers Market is outdoors April- Oct 8am-1pm

This long running community market is held in downtown Edmond. For more information click HERE

Do you know the pedestrian code?

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1. Pedestrians do not have the right-of-way on streets unless using a crosswalk at an intersection, and pedestrians must obey any signals and other signs at the intersection.

2. Pedestrians can only walk on a roadway if it’s safe and must walk facing traffic.

3. It’s illegal to jump or throw things from bridges.

4. Drivers are required to exercise due care to avoid collisions with pedestrians.

5. If there’s no crosswalk, pedestrians can only cross a street at a right angle to the curb. It’s illegal to cross two streets at once by walking diagonally across an intersection.

Learn More Here