Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: Stay off the St. Johns River if possible

DELAND -- Due to high water levels in the St. Johns River associated with recent rains, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 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.

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