Stay off the St. Johns River if possible
News Release
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Media contact: Joy Hill, 352-258-3426
Due to high water levels in the St. Johns River associated with
recent rains, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
(FWC) is asking boaters to stay off populated areas of the river
until the waters recede. Primarily affected are populated portions
in Volusia, Seminole and Orange counties. Most areas in Brevard
County are rural and wooded and will not be negatively affected.
However, problems could arise in the canal systems of lakes
Poinsett and Washington.
Although water levels have not yet reached flood stage,
officials feel they probably will in some areas. Once flood stage
is reached, emergency idle speed, no wake zones go into effect
automatically in portions of the river. The locations of these
mandatory emergency idle speed, no wake zones and flood stages can
be found online at www.srh.noaa.gov/serfc/index.php.
In the meantime, unless it is absolutely necessary, the FWC
urges boaters to avoid the river in affected populated areas.
Submerged objects pose a navigation hazard and boats create wakes
that can cause property damage, which is more likely during periods
of high water. Boaters are responsible for any damage caused by
their boat's wake.
FWC officers will be maintaining a proactive presence in
populated affected areas in an attempt to slow vessels down by
enforcing wake laws.
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