 Low water levels increase the risk to boaters putting in or taking
vessels out of the water and could cause damage to boats."The
most important thing is to use common sense," said IDNR Director
Marc Miller. "As we continue through this drought, water levels on
lakes and rivers will probably continue to decrease, and some boat
ramps may not be able to accommodate the angle some boats need to
get in and out of the water."
Additionally, boaters should exercise additional caution once on
the water. Some areas that are usually navigable may not be due to
lack of water.
"Conditions change rapidly, and there is no way to constantly
monitor every area of every river or lake, which means it is really
up to individual boaters to use their best judgment as to whether
it's worth the risk," said Arlan Juhl, director of the IDNR Office
of Water Resources.
The IDNR owns and manages hundreds of public boat access areas
throughout the state. As of now, no boat ramps are closed and
boaters may use the ramps at their own risk.
"Water levels in some areas are very low, which makes it
difficult to navigate even the smallest and lightest of watercraft,"
said IDNR Conservation Police Chief Rafael Gutierrez. "We have
started to receive calls from boaters who have been in areas where
they have had no trouble in the past but are now becoming stranded
because of the shallow water."
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Private property owners living near rivers, lakes and streams
should also be alert to the low water accompanying the ongoing
drought. Low water levels and hot weather are stressing fish and in
some cases are causing natural fish kills due to low oxygen in the
water. The public can help minimize fish kills by helping to keep
pollutants out of surface waters. The IDNR asks the public to avoid
chemical applications on lawns when possible and walk their
properties close to surface waters to be sure nothing can enter the
water.
Illinois residents and visitors boating and fishing at IDNR-managed
sites are encouraged to check with the specific IDNR park office for
information on current conditions.
For more information on drought conditions in Illinois, check the
state's drought information website at
www.drought.illinois.gov.
[Text from
Illinois Department of
Natural Resources
file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
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