Institutional, Large Groups and Private Boaters

All non-commercial boaters, including Institutional, Large Group, and Private Boaters, are required to obtain a registration tag. The tag shall be signed and dated certifying the person has read the information and rules on the tag and failure to abide by the rules is a violation of Ordinance Chapter 5.50.

The tags will be available at all developed river access points.

The tag is an educational device used to inform boaters of their responsibilities while running the river. The County wants to reach all boaters with the message to boat safely, observe private property rights and protect river resources.

Accompanying the tag is a waterproof map that depicts the location of all public lands and public river access points along the river. The tag will show the latest information on BLM public lands in the river corridor.

• Institutional group river trips are non-commercial trips operated as a program of a non-profit organization or as a part of an accredited academic program.  
• Pre-season annual registration will be required. Registration requirements include:
  • Obtain a registration tag that must be displayed in a visible location throughout the non-commercial river trip.
  • Complete and return a pre-season Institutional Registration form.
  • Pay the registration application fee.
  • Provide proof of:
    • Nonprofit or academic status.   
    • Liability insurance meeting County standards.
    • Trip leader guide certification on guiding, safety, rescue training, first aid, and knowledge of County regulations.
  • Submit post-season annual reporting of river use

The Institutional Registration form is available on-line(PDF, 452KB) or can be mailed upon request. 

Purpose of Registration

• Ensure the organization's river trips are non-commercial;
• Ensure the organization's program meets basic river safety and skill requirements;
• The organization receives information on boating safety and boaters' responsibilities on the river;
• The organization receives information on how to avoid contributing to on-river congestion during summer weekends; and
• Organizations are made aware of potential for further County regulatory actions under the River Management Plan's river use capacity strategy.

• A large group is any group of 18 or more people boating together on a non-commercial river trip.
• Pre-trip registration will be required. Registration requirements include:
  • Obtain a registration tag that must be displayed in a visible location throughout the non-commercial river trip.
  • Complete and return a pre-season Large Group Registration form.
  • Review of the County river safety and etiquette standards.

The Large Group Registration form is available on-line(PDF, 197KB), can be mailed upon request, and is located at major put-ins.

• A private boater is any person or group less than 18 people on a non-commercial river trip.
• Registration tag is required. The tag must be displayed in visible location throughout the non-commercial river trip.

The Quiet Zone was established as a management effort to diminish the impacts of boaters' noise on area residents.

Noise provisions of Ordinance Chapter 9.16 shall be applicable to all persons engaged in non-commercial river trips within the designated Quiet Zone. The Quiet Zone begins at Indian Creek, about one mile above Trouble Maker Rapid, and ends at Greenwood Creek.

Non-commercial boaters (Institutional, Large Group, Private) must maintain noise in the Quiet Zone at levels associated with normal downstream travel. A Class I violation and fine may be issued for any non-emergency yelling or screaming by passengers that is not actively discouraged by trip guides.

• Each boat or other craft must carry a container of durable construction that can be used for trash and litter disposal while engaged in a non-commercial river trip.
• All litter and waste must be removed by the user in accordance with Sections 5.48.130, Littering and Trespass, 9.46.280, Littering, and 9.46.290, Waste Disposal, of the El Dorado County Ordinance Code.
• Each person or group of persons who uses any public or private lands adjacent to the South Fork of the American River within the special-use area must have access to or provide an approved privy, toilet, porta-potty or other approved human waste disposal method. The approving agency for any human waste disposal method shall be the Environmental Health Division of the El Dorado County Environmental Management Department.

Additional regulations, in accordance with the River Management Plan, are applicable to non-commercial Institutional river trips, including:

• No Institutional group will organize a river trip with the intent to be on the South Fork after sunset.
• All boats shall be identified by name or logo.
• At least one guide per trip shall have completed a Swiftwater rescue training course.
• Required to carry a sweep kit, repair kit, first aid kit, and one extra personal flotation device for each group.