Talbot County Eyes New No-Wake Zone on San Domingo Creek

Talbot County, MD - Boaters on San Domingo Creek in Talbot County could soon see a new speed limit. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is looking into a request for a minimum wake zone in the northeast cove of the creek. The zone would apply all year long if it gets approved.

The request came after concerns were raised about fast-moving boats and jet skis. Speeding vessels create wakes that wash over sensitive environmental areas nearby. Those wakes have been breaching rip-rap, causing erosion and disturbing nesting birds and fish habitats.

Right now, there is no speed zone in place for that part of the creek. A minimum wake zone means boaters can only travel at the slowest speed needed to safely steer their vessel. That speed cannot go over 3 knots, which comes out to about 3.5 miles per hour.

If approved, the rule would run all year, starting January 1 and ending December 31. In Maryland, boating rules can come from two places. The General Assembly can pass a statute, or the Department of Natural Resources can create a regulation.

Sometimes the Department has to write a regulation just to put a statute into action. This request is starting with what is called the scoping process. During scoping, the Department collects ideas and concerns from the public and other stakeholders about the issue.

The goal is to figure out what problems exist and what options might work best. Once the public has had a chance to weigh in, the Department will review the feedback it receives. From there, they will decide on a management plan for the area.

The area under review is a small cove off San Domingo Creek, near where it meets the wider Choptank River system. Maps included with the request show the proposed zone as a pocket tucked along the shoreline.

There is currently no speed restriction posted for boaters passing through that stretch of water.

The Department expects the earliest this change could take effect is the spring of 2027. That timeline is not final and could shift as the process moves forward. Anyone in the community with thoughts on the proposal will likely get more chances to weigh in as the scoping process continues.