USCGFinal Rule

Security Zone; Ohio River, Mile Marker 75 – 76.5 Wellsburg, WV

TransportationOther

Summary

The U.S. Coast Guard has established a restricted security zone on the Ohio River near Wellsburg, West Virginia (between mile markers 75 and 76.5) where boats and people are not allowed to enter without permission. This zone protects a specific area of the river from unauthorized access for security or safety reasons.

Key Points

  • 1A 1.5-mile stretch of the Ohio River near Wellsburg, WV is now off-limits to the public without special permission from the Coast Guard
  • 2Boaters, swimmers, and anyone else trying to enter this security zone could face fines or other penalties
  • 3The Coast Guard can grant exceptions for people who have a legitimate reason to be in the area
  • 4This rule went into effect in January 2026 and applies to all types of water-based activity in that specific river section
  • 5The restriction is meant to protect either critical infrastructure, national security interests, or public safety in that location

Key Dates

Published

January 12, 2026

This summary is for informational purposes only. It may not capture all nuances of the regulation. Always refer to the official text for authoritative information.

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