The Lake was formed by the Little Jelloway Creek and various active springs, and measures approximately 511 acres, 3¼ miles long, and 9¼ miles of shoreline. The average depth of this man-made lake is 30 feet. The lake was originally stocked in 1974 and 1975 with Walleye, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Channel Catfish, and is restocked yearly by the Apple Valley Property Owners Association and the Apple Valley Fish & Restocking Club. The Lake is provided for the enjoyment of all members in good standing and their guests. The State of Ohio has legal jurisdiction of the waterway and enforcement of State laws on the Lake, and Association staff has the right to enforce the Rules and Regulations of the Association with respect to the lake area as well. Members and their guests must conduct themselves in a safe and lawful manner and abide by the following Rules and Regulations:
I. Requirements for Operation of Watercraft
A. All watercraft shall:
1. Have Association permit decals affixed to the hull in the manner prescribed.
2. Have State registration numbers and current State registration tag affixed to the hull in the manner prescribed.
3. Comply with the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) and Ohio Administrative Code (OAC).
4. Have a member in good standing on board at all times.
5. Have on board a current property owners card, and (if required by ORC) certificate of successful completion of boating course or proficiency examination, and show willingness to share these items with Association staff and law enforcement agencies.
6. Be currently titled in the name of a current property owner in good standing.
B. All persons operating watercraft are to abide by the rules and regulations set forth by the ORC, OAC and the Association.
II. Association Watercraft Permits
A. There are four categories of permits:
1. Annual – issued each year for each watercraft.
2. Temporary – issued for a maximum of seven days.
3. New Boat – issued for a maximum of 30 days while awaiting State registration.
4. Special Event – issued to a watercraft participating in a special event recognized by the Association.
B. Any of the above-mentioned permits may be obtained at the administration office.
C. The maximum TOTAL number of watercraft permits is four per lot of which, no more than two may be powercraft. “Type of propulsion” for non-powered craft is designated on Ohio Watercraft Registration as “Sail” or “Hand Powered”.
III. Size Restrictions for Watercraft
A. Maximum length for mechanically powered craft is twenty-one feet six inches (exception is pontoon boats) as stated on current state registration.
B. Maximum length for pontoon boats is twenty-eight feet as stated on current state registration, inclusive of pontoon tubes.
C. Maximum length for non-mechanically powered craft is twenty-eight feet as stated on current state registration.
D. Maximum beam for all watercraft is eight feet six inches at the widest point.
E. No houseboats, regardless of type, are permitted.
IV. Safe Watercraft Operation
Definitions Used: “Idle speed” means the slowest possible speed needed to maintain steerage or maneuverability.
“No Wake” has the same meaning as “idle speed”
A. No wake areas:
1. Within eighty feet of any shoreline.
2. Within fifty feet of any designated swimming areas.
3. Within fifty feet from watercraft engaged in fishing.
4. Within fifty feet of any downed skier or like individual engaging in a towed activity.
B. No wake hours for the entire lake are between sunset and sunrise.
C. All watercraft will travel in a counterclockwise pattern around the Lake, except at no wake speeds.
D. No “rooster-tail” devices on any watercraft except personal watercraft (PWC).
E. Scuba diving from boats is permitted only in no wake areas.
F. Swimming outside of designated areas is at your own risk.
V. Lake Use Restrictions
A. The use of the Lake may be restricted during periods of abnormally high water or other reasons.
1. Lake condition signal flags are posted at five common area locations around the Lake. All watercraft operators are requested to observe the condition flags or call the Association administration office for clarification prior to operating watercraft on the Lake.
2. Flag colors/meanings are as follows:
Green – Full boating, no restriction
Yellow – Idle speed only (see above definition of “idle speed”)
Red – Lake closed, no boating
B. No para-sailing is permitted.
C. The Association Ski Club maintains a portable slalom course that may be positioned on the lake a few days of the year. Only ski-type boats with slalom water-skiers are permitted to use the course. Others should stay clear of the course when it is not in use and, as a matter of courtesy, maintain no wake speed in the area around the course when it is in use.
D. All watercraft operators must abide by regulatory buoys or signs.
VI. Anchoring and Docking Restrictions
A. Beaching of watercraft on common property is only permitted in posted areas.
B. Do not leave watercraft anchored, tied or docked at launch areas any longer than necessary to park tow vehicles.