(Spirit Lake)—The Iowa Department of Natural Resources announced this (Fri.) afternoon its extending the no wake zone on all Dickinson county lakes from 300 feet to 600 feet from shore.
The new regulation goes into effect immediately and will continue in effect until further notice.
It comes on the heels of a meeting early this (Fri.) afternoon of the Dickinson County Emergency Management Board which voted unanimously to recommend the DNR extend the zone. Representatives of the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber and Spirit Lake Chamber of Commerce were among those in attendance at the Dickinson county courthouse.
Rich Jordet, a District Supervisor with the DNR, tells KUOO news this especially will have implications on boaters on East Lake Okoboji because it’s so narrow.
Jordet says no-wake buoys are currently set at 300 feet from shore, so he says boaters can use their judgment and double that distance.
Jordet says maps with the no-wake zone identified will be handed out at area boat ramps, many of which will be staffed this weekend with volunteers.
He says the DNR will be actively enforcing the extended no wake zone.
Jordet adds officials will likely be re-visiting the issue if even more rain falls over the next day or two.
Jordet says while the current level is high, it’s still about 21 inches below the 1993 flood levels, which was the last time a no-wake zone was issued for the Iowa Great Lakes.
Jordet says the regulation is intended to help reduce the amount of shoreline erosion that’s going on, along with protecting docks and hoists, many of which are either already under water or are going under.
