The Coast Guard will close and impose no-wake zones in various sections of both the Ohio and Licking Rivers starting Aug. 31 to ensure safety during Riverfest and the Western & Southern / WEBN Fireworks show.
No vessel transit of any kind or departure from harbors will be permitted during closure times without explicit permission from the Coast Guard.
Boats must be anchored within the designated areas listed below by 7 p.m. on Sunday. Law enforcement from the local, state and federal levels will patrol marked off areas during the closures.
No Wake Zone:
When: 12 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, to 3 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 1, 2025
Where:
- Ohio River, Mile 477.0 (Anderson Ferry) to Mile 463.0 (Mouth of the Little Miami River just north of Four Seasons Marina and Aqua Ramp Marina)
- Licking River, Mile 0.0 to Mile 0.3 (Ohio River to 4th Street Bridge)
River Closure:
When: 7 to 10 p.m. on Sunday, August 31, 2025
Where:
- Ohio River, Mile 469.2 (just upriver of the Daniel Carter Beard “Big Mac” Bridge) to Mile 470.5 (Roebling Suspension Bridge)
- Licking River, Mile 0.0 to Mile 0.3 (Ohio River to 4th Street Bridge)
Designated Anchorage Areas:
- Anchorage 1: Extends 300 feet from the Kentucky shoreline between Mile 470.5–470.7
- Anchorage 2: Extends 300 feet from the Ohio shoreline between Mile 469.2–469.6
- Anchorage 3: Extends 300 feet from the Kentucky shoreline between Mile 469.2–469.6
Additional restrictions will also be in place immediately after the fireworks show. Learn more and stay up to date with river closure protocols by following Boone County Water Rescue’s Facebook page.