Minimum Wake; Alligator Creek and Its Environs 

Alligator Creek “Slow Speed Minimum Wake” Zone extended. On 12/08/2020, the Charlotte County Commissioners approved a change to the existing “Slow Speed Minimum Wake” zone on Alligator Creek. The speed zone will now start near Marker #21 just downstream from Buckley Pass.

The existing speed sign will be moved shortly.

This revised speed zone includes: 

“Those waters of Alligator Creek, a tributary of Charlotte Harbor, and its appurtenant finger canals and natural tributaries, including but not limited to North Fork Alligator Creek and South Fork Alligator Creek, northeasterly from 26°52’57.46″ 26°53’0.33″ north latitude, 82°03’39.16″ 82°3’36.95″ west longitude, upstream to the limit of continuous navigation, are declared a SLOW SPEED — MINIMUM WAKE zone as defined by the provisions of this article.”

“Slow Speed – Minimum Wake Zones. 

Definition of restriction: SLOW SPEED MINIMUM WAKE zones designated and marked according to provisions of F.S. Chapter 327, and of this article are restricted to watercraft operating at either “idle speed” or “slow speed,” pursuant to Florida Administrative Code Chapter 68D-23.103, “Slow Speed” and “Slow Speed Minimum Wake” may be used interchangeably, and means that a vessel must be fully off plane and completely settled into the water and the vessel must then proceed at a speed which is reasonable and prudent under the prevailing circumstances so as to avoid the creation of an excessive wake or other hazardous condition which endangers or is likely to endanger other vessels or other persons using the waterway.”