BOATING   

The City of Bonney Lake is home to multiple lakes. The two public lakes open to boaters are Lake Tapps and Lake Bonney.
 

Lake Tapps

Lake Tapps is a reservoir lying to the North of Bonney Lake; the lake is owned and managed by Cascade Water Alliance. For more information visit www.cascadewater.org.

Lake Tapps Water Levels

Information on water levels in Lake Tapps water is available through the the following websites:

• Cascade Water Alliance - Recreational Lake Levels
• Lake Tapps Community Council - www.laketappsnews.org

Lake Tapps Planning & Management

Cascade Water Alliance became the owner of Lake Tapps from Puget Sound Energy in 2009. Property owners along Lake Tapps who want to build new improvements or modify existing improvements must obtain a license from Cascade, in addition to any City, County, State, or Federal permits required. For more information contact Cascade at 425-453-0930.

In 2011 a group, including representatives from the City of Bonney Lake, developed a working lake management plan. The plan is available to view online at www.cascadewater.org.

Boat Launches on Lake Tapps

Allan Yorke Park Boat Launch

The City of Bonney Lake operates a boat launch and boat trailer parking at Allan Yorke Park on the south end of Lake Tapps. Kayak and paddle board rentals are available from the Snack Shack (details here).

Boat Launch Notifications 

Boat Launch Parking Fees & Resident Parking Pass

Location: 7203 West Tapps Hwy (South end of Lake Tapps)
Bonney Lake, WA 98391 
Directions

Hours of Operation: 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
When lake is at recreational levels

Parking Areas (Parks page)

Questions? Call the City at 253) 862-8602 Monday-Friday from 8:30am-5:00pm
 

Boat Launch Parking Fees

In 2015 the City replaced the bollard system and now charges for parking instead of launches (see Ordinance 1512). During the boating season, the boat launch requires payment of parking fees at the kiosk, or an annual Resident Parking Pass (for residents only). 

A fee of $17.00 plus tax is charged per day of boat trailer parking for any vehicle not displaying a valid Resident Parking Pass.

The city may temporarily close the boat launch facility without advance notice. No refunds will be given for the temporary or permanent closure of the boat launch facility. See information on scheduled closures and other notifications.

Resident Parking Passes

Boat Launch parking passes are available for purchase by residents living inside the Bonney Lake City Limits. The pilot program for non-resident annual boat launch passes has expired. See also BLMC 12.12.051.

Passes are available at the Utilities Desk at the Justice & Municipal Center, Suite 250 (9002 Main Street East, Bonney Lake), between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Credit/debit cards are accepted (customers must present photo identification for card payments).

Resident Parking Pass requirements:

• Each resident boat launch parking pass is $30.00 plus tax per watercraft per year.
   
• Proof of residency is required; you must live inside City limits to purchase a resident pass. To verifty residency inside City Limits, please view the City Limits Map or call the Utilities Desk at (253) 447-4317.
   
• Valid Driver's License or other acceptable identification is required.
   
• The City Utility Bill must be current.
   
• The fee for replacement of an annual pass is $100.00. No refunds will be given for lost, stolen, or unused passes.

For more information call the Utilities desk at (253) 447-4317.

Lake Tapps North Park Boat Launch

1715 - 198th Ave E
Bonney Lake, WA
(253) 798-4177
Website

Pierce County operates a separate park, swimming area, and boat launch on the north end of Lake Tapps. For more information, including park hours and fees for parking and using the boat launch, visit the Pierce County website.

Lake Bonney

Lake Bonney is a small lake that is only suitable for small boats without combustion engines. The public boat launch for Lake Bonney is located on 74th St E just before Ken Simmons Park.

Other Boating Options in Pierce County & Washington State

There are many options for recreation on the water around Pierce County and Washington State, from rivers and lakes to the Puget Sound. For more information visit the following websites:

• Pierce County Parks 
• Washington State Parks

State Boating Rules & Regulations

The Washington State Mandatory Boating Safety Education Law went into effect on January 1, 2008. The law requires boaters to pass a boating safety course or an equivalency exam and to obtain a Boater Education Card before operating a motorized vessel of 15 horsepower or greater. 

The card requirement is being phased in from 2008 to 2014. All operators of boats having motors of 15 horsepower or greater are required to have their Boater Safety Education Card with them when operating a boat as follows:

Year          Age Group
2008          12 years to 20 years old
2009          25 years and under
2010          30 years and under
2011          35 years and under
2012          40 years and under
2013          50 years and under
2014          60 years and under

After 2014, all boat operators except those exempted elsewhere in RCW 79A.60.640 must carry a Boater Safety Education Card.

For more information please see the Washington State Parks Boating Program website or contact:

(360) 586-6592
boating@parks.wa.gov 

For a list of boating safety courses available around the state, see the Washington State Boating Program website.

City of Bonney Lake Boating Regulations 

• Download Watercraft Regulations: Do You know the Laws?

Be sure to review the Watercraft Regulations brochure provided by the Bonney Lake Police Department's Marine Service Unit. 

• In the brochure you'll find answers to questions such as:
• Do I need a boaters card?
• What is the legal age of vessel operation?
• What safety equipment is required?
• Do I need vessel registration?
• What are the speed limits and hours of operation?
• Is there a specific direction of travel?
• Are there marked restricted areas?
• What are the requirements for Personal Watercraft (PWC)?
• What are the laws on water skiing safety?
• Are vessel inspections necessary?

Boating regulations are also available in Bonney Lake Municipal Code Chapter 16.16. For more information on watercraft regulations and boating safety, please contact the BLPD Marine Service Unit at (253) 863-2218.