2025 Western & Southern Ohio River Closures

River Closures and No Wake Zone Announcement for Riverfest / Western & Southern WEBN Fireworks

The United States Coast Guard Captain of the Port, Sector Ohio Valley, will be establishing a No Wake Zone and a temporary river closure on the Ohio and Licking Rivers to ensure public safety during Riverfest and the Western & Southern / WEBN Fireworks on Sunday, August 31, 2025.

No Wake Zone:

When: From 12:00 PM on Sunday, August 31, 2025 through 3:00 AM on Monday, September 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: From 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM 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)

River Closure Details:

During this time, no vessel traffic (commercial, recreational, personal watercraft, or sailing vessels) will be permitted to transit through the area, launch, or depart from Kentucky or Ohio harbors or ramps within the closure without explicit Coast Guard authorization.

Vessels must anchor in the "Designated Anchorage Areas" before the 7:00 PM river closure.

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

All vessels in designated anchorage areas must remain within the marked buoy boundaries. Event patrol vessels will be monitoring these areas throughout the closure.

Post Fireworks Restrictions:

There will be NO CROSS TRAFFIC through downtown allowed until 15 minutes after the end of the fireworks show (i.e. vessels in the downriver spectator zone intending to travel upriver or vessels in an upriver zone intending to travel downriver). While exiting, all vessels must idle through the established "No Wake" zone above.

Federal, state, and local law enforcement, along with Fire/EMS/Water Rescue agencies, will actively patrol and enforce safety regulations. Boaters are reminded to plan for an extended day in the heat/sun and have enough PFD's onboard for all passengers. Boat operators should refrain from consuming alcohol.


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