WONDER LAKE RECREATION VEHICLE REGULATIONS AND SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS
2024 EDITION
The Master Property Owners Association welcomes you to another year of recreation and enjoyment on Wonder Lake.
Wonder Lake is a private lake owned by the MPOA (Master Property Owners Association). Property owners with deeded lake rights may place equipment and accessories in / on the MPOA property provided that the MPOA regulations are followed.
The lake bottom is located within the Village of Wonder Lake. Enforcement of these regulations will be performed by the Wonder Lake Police Department - Marine Patrol and Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
Boating on Wonder Lake is regulated by the Illinois Boating and Safety Act. All vehicles operated on Wonder Lake must conform to these regulations. These regulations require all vehicles operated on waters in the State of Illinois to be registered with a state and to display a valid state registration decal.
Vehicles must also display a current MPOA Decal or Guest Pass. Annual MPOA decals must be permanently affixed to the watercraft.
PURPOSE OF VEHICLE DECAL REGISTRATION
To clearly identify those vehicles registered to MPOA property owners and residents, which will assist in keeping Wonder Lake private for the use of MPOA members and their guests.
VEHICLE REGISTRATION REGULATIONS
In accordance with Article XI, Section 2C of the MPOA bylaws, all Vehicles operated on the waters of Wonder Lake must display a current MPOA vehicle decal. This includes all boats, canoes, kayaks, and personal watercraft.
• Decals are valid from April 1st of the current year to March 31st of the following year.
REGISTRATION FOR DECALS
Registration materials will be emailed / mailed to owners and residents of record from the previous year in the first half of January. Registration applications may be mailed back with copies of the required documentation and fees or returned in person to the MPOA office. Registrants can purchase decals anytime at the MPOA office during posted business hours.
2024 DECAL FEES
Decal fees for water vehicles are determined by the horsepower of the vehicle:
- ALL NON-MOTORIZED WATERCRAFT $13-
- ALL WATERCRAFT 1- 39 HP $30-
- ALL WATERCRAFT 40 -99 HP $50-
- ALL WATERCRAFT 100 -249 HP $70-
- ALL WATERCRAFT 250 HP -AND OVER $100-
- ALL PERSONAL WATERCRAFT (JET SKI’S) $50-
- WINTER DECALS (SNOWMOBILES, ATV’s, etc) $5-
- GUEST PASS $50-
VEHICLE DECALS CANNOT BE PURCHASED WITHOUT THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION ON RECORD
Current proof of property ownership or residence. Copy of current subdivision dues receipt, tax bill, deed, drivers’ license or other acceptable proof of ownership or lease.
PROOF OF VEHICLE REGISTRATION
Copy of current state registration for the vehicle to be registered by the property owner or resident. If the vehicle has been recently purchased, a copy of the temporary state registration is acceptable for a Decal.
The property owner or resident will be responsible for updating any and all information (such as a purchase or transfer of ownership, or receipt of permanent vehicle registration) with the MPOA in a timely manner throughout the season.
DECAL DISPLAY
Decals shall be positioned on the right side of the windshield. If there is no windshield, the Decal should be placed on the right side of the hull near the front, but not adjacent to the IDNR Registration. In the case of snowmobiles and ATV’s, the Decal should be displayed on the right side of the vehicle.
DECAL VIOLATION PROPERTY OWNERS / NON - RESIDENTS
Owners who allow renters and / or guests to use the lake must certify to the MPOA that they will assume responsibility for any damages caused by any guests or renters while they use the lake. The penalty for property owners or residents operating a vehicle on Wonder Lake without a valid MPOA Decal and violates any provision of this ordinance shall be fined not less than $50- nor more than $500-, plus all administrative and legal costs for enforcement and collection. All watercraft on Wonder Lake, including vehicles on boat lifts must display a valid MPOA decal or are in violation of this regulation. The Wonder Lake Police Department – Marine Patrol enforces all applicable regulations.
NON-PROPERTY OWNERS / NON - RESIDENTS
Non-property owners and non-residents operating a vehicle on Wonder Lake without a valid MPOA Decal or Guest Pass will be prosecuted as trespassers to the fullest extent of the law.
MPOA GUEST PASSES
A Guest Pass can be issued to an MPOA property owner who wishes to sponsor a non-resident guest and their vehicle.
The sponsoring property owner is responsible for the actions of their guest.
The 72-hour guest pass becomes valid as of the date and time stated on the guest pass by the MPOA office, and expires 72 hours later. Pass must be kept with the vehicle at all times. Guest passes are available at the MPOA office during normal office hours for $50.00.
SAFETY REMINDERS
1. An effort is made to identify hazardous areas of Wonder Lake with MPOA buoys. Please notify the MPOA office if you notice damaged buoys or buoys that have moved from their original placed position.
MPOA Office: (815) 653-1000
2. It is recommended on weekends and holidays that all powered watercraft should move in a counter-clockwise direction around the lake.
3. Vehicle operators are reminded to respect other vehicles and their operators, and all shoreline property.
4. When towing a water skier, or anyone on a flotation device, at least two competent persons must be in the boat AND display a bright ORANGE flag not less than 12” x 12”.
5. All people in a watercraft under the age of 13 must be wearing a flotation device.
6. In case of emergency, call 911. For non-emergency assistance on the Lake, call the Village of Wonder Lake Police Department at (815) 728-0535.
7. The MPOA by-laws prohibit the operation of all automobiles, trucks and SUV’s from the bed or surface of Wonder Lake at any time.
8. Lake users should be aware of the potential of floating debris at all times, and particularly after heavy rainfall events. If in-lake debris is observed, Email office@wlmpoa.org or call 815-653-1000.
9. Heavy rainfall can also result in swimming beach advisories or closures, as determined by the McHenry County Department of Health. https://www.mchenrycountyil.gov/county-government/departments-a-i/health- department/environmental-health/public-beaches
10. Heavy rainfall and runoff events will also cause lake levels to rise, increasing the potential for dock and shoreline damage from boat wakes, and making it likely that the lake will be subject to a "No-Wake" or "Lake Closure" condition until water levels recede. Good judgement should be used when installing your docks so that they are not under water during high water.