ya,any water (on the colorado river system)above the laughlin dam is restricted. you can only run di and 4tec skis.yes they will check.but the inspectors are fairly clueless,which can be bad because if u get on the water,north of the dam,and get pulled over by the water popo,they will know,and u will get a pretty stiff fine,escorted to the launch ramp n booted.
south of the dam all the way to mexico is good to go.we take our boat to havasu,but the skis are more fun on the river,just remember,if go upstream and ur ski breaks down,u can always float back down to the launch ramp,its hard to paddle a ski upriver to the trailer!
we go just about evry weekend n love it,now,go have fun!