News Release

Emergency speed zones in effect on St. Johns River near Astor

May 22, 2009
Contact: Joy Hill, 352-732-1225 or 352-258-3426

Heavy rains in Lake and Volusia counties have caused portions of the St. Johns River in the Astor area to rise above flood stage, and emergency idle-speed/no-wake zones are in effect until levels recede.

The emergency zones are effective north of the State Road 40 Bridge in Astor. All of the waters of the St. Johns River north of the S.R 40 Bridge in Astor, Jungle Den Canal and South Moon Canal are currently idle-speed/no-wake zones.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and sheriff's offices from Lake and Volusia counties are posting signs in the restricted areas. In addition, all normal idle-speed/no-wake zones remain in effect. FWC officers and county sheriff's deputies will be patrolling and enforcing the zones as long as boating restrictions are in place.

These zones are automatically effective and enforceable when the St. Johns River level is 2.8 feet or higher, as indicated by the water level gauge at the S.R. 40 Bridge in Astor. Individuals can go online for real-time water levels at www.srh.noaa.gov/alr/index.shtml.

Boating-restricted areas are established to regulate speed and operation of vessel traffic on the St. Johns River in Lake, Seminole and Volusia counties, per Florida Administrative Code 68D-24.018.