Stearns County Sheriff Steve Soyka is requesting the public’s assistance due to the recent rain events in Stearns County. The significant rainfall events this week have led to high water conditions on all Stearns County area lakes and rivers.
Stearns County Ordinance 534 has been triggered as a result of these high levels. That ordinance places a NO WAKE restriction within 300 feet of shore on Grass Lake, Clearwater Lake, Augusta Lake, Carolina Lake, Lake Maria, and Lake Louisa. These lakes all border Wright County. Ordinance 534 has a mirrored ordinance for Wright County enforcement as well.
Several other area lakes have been posted with “Emergency No Wake Zone” signs to operate watercraft at slow or NO WAKE speeds. Those lakes are Carnelian, Beaver, Two Rivers, and the entire Sauk River Chain of Lakes in the Richmond and Cold Spring area.
Sheriff Soyka is asking the boating public to be aware of current lake conditions and to reduce their speed and operate at a NO WAKE speed when within 300 feet of shore. If the wake from your boat will reach the shore, you are probably going too fast.
The current high-water conditions combined with unnecessary wakes has the potential to cause damage to both the shoreline, submerged or partially submerged docks and lifts, and in some cases, residences. Please be mindful of these conditions and take the appropriate actions.
This weekend is also Minnesota’s Fishing Opener. Some accesses may be impacted by flooding and parking reduced. All parking rules are still in effect and boaters may not park where prohibited by sign or in such a manner as to create a traffic hazard. Additionally, please be aware of the possibility of submerged items like trees or docks that may have floated away from shore.
We hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable opener and is mindful of the high-water issues.
