Oshkosh council bans water-skiing, wakeboarding and similar activities on Fox River

Oshkosh — The Oshkosh Common Council on March 25 approved Ordinance 25-136, amending section 17-29 of the municipal code to prohibit water-skiing, wakeboarding, aquaplaning and similar activities on the Fox River within city limits.

The move grew out of a request from the River Watch Condo Association, which reported shoreline erosion near Campbell Road by the senior center, the council was told. Parks Director Mauer said the advisory parks board discussed a citywide slow‑no‑wake zone but instead recommended banning higher-impact water sports that generate wake and accelerate shoreline damage. "It may be more of a matter of some of the aquaplaning and some of those water sports that are doing more creating of the waves that cause the damage on the shorelines," Mauer said during the meeting.

Councilmember Nichols said the change also addresses safety: "this will make the river safer," he said. Councilmembers asked how the city will notify boaters; Mauer said staff will post notices at boat launches, work with marinas and local boat clubs, use social media and the city's email contacts, and coordinate enforcement with the Winnebago County Sheriff's Department.

Mauer described the ordinance's geographic scope as extending "from the mouth of the river behind the Leach Amphitheater by the railroad bridge all the way up to the north end of Rainbow Park." He also said the city attorney and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reviewed the amendment and the sheriff's office has been involved in enforcement discussions.

The council approved the ordinance on a 7-0 roll call. The vote record shows Larson, Eslinger, Flom, Bulow, Stevenson, Nichols and Muguower voting "aye." City staff and the sheriff's office will oversee public education and enforcement as the ordinance takes effect under municipal procedures.