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Boating/ Swollen Rivers

blake

Life Member
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<span style="color: #000099">“The Iowa DNR's Mission:
"To conserve and enhance our natural resources in cooperation with individuals and organizations to improve the quality of life for Iowans and ensure a legacy for future generations.”</span>
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<span style='font-size: 14pt'>From the Iowa DNR: </span>

<span style='font-size: 17pt'>Avoid Boating on Swollen Rivers</span>

DES MOINES - A combination of steady late winter rains and still frozen ground that cannot absorb the rainfall has sent many central and southeast Iowa rivers out of its banks. For anglers who have already been boating on rivers searching for early season walleyes and catfish, state officials recommend that they allow these swollen rivers to fall back to more seasonal flows before launching their boat back on the water.

"Give these rivers time and they will be back to normal levels fairly quickly once the rain stops," said Susan Stocker, boating safety coordinator for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. "I know spring fever is rampant right now, but the risk from boating on rivers at flood stage this early in March is simply not worth it."

Stocker said obstacles in rivers can change drastically over the winter and combined with near freezing water temperatures, these early season outings can be even more dangerous.

"Streams are often muddy after spring rains wash in all kinds of stuff from crop fields, and city streets and parking lots making it difficult to see downed trees or rocks that can cause a boat to capsize," she said. "People forget that it is still technically winter and there is the possibility of ice chunks and ice jams moving downstream. My best advice is to stay off these rivers until conditions improve."

Stocker said if the boating itch is too strong to ignore, there are a number of things boaters can do to prepare for the season without getting on the water.

"Go through your safety equipment. Make sure the lifejackets are in good condition and that the fire extinguisher is full. Check your lights, horn and other equipment so when the time does come, you are ready to hit the water safely," Stocker said.

The Iowa DNR has a boating safety handbook on-line at http://www.iowadnr.gov, then click on Safety Education in the navigation bar on the left, then on the Boating Safety/Education link.

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Ron Wyllie
Southwest Iowa IBA Area Representative
rwyllie@iowawhitetail.com
 
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