News Release

Emergency boating restrictions on portion of St. Johns River

May 29, 2009
Contact: Karen Parker, 386-758-0525

The Putnam County Commission has enacted an emergency ordinance, placing a portion of the St. Johns River system under an idle-speed, no-wake zone.

Boating restrictions are in place from the mouth of Dunns Creek, where it enters the St. Johns River, to past Mimi Lane, as well as the area between Intracoastal Waterway markers 46 and 47, known as Sportsman's Harbor.

"Heavy rains in Putnam County have caused portions of the St. Johns River to rise above flood stage, and emergency idle-speed, no-wake zones are in effect until the water recedes," said Lt. George Pottorf of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). 

"The county commissioners were concerned about the high water level affecting the homes and property along the river and enacted this emergency ordinance," said Jayson Southworth, senior planner for Putnam County Emergency Management.

An idle-speed, no-wake zone means a vessel must proceed at a speed no greater than what is required to maintain steerageway and headway. At no time is any vessel required to proceed so slowly that the operator is unable to control it or anything it may be towing.

FWC officers will be patrolling this area of the river to ensure the idle-speed, no-wake zone is enforced, Pottorf, said.