(Spirit Lake)– In a meeting this (Tues.) afternoon, the Dickinson County Emergency Management Commission decided to let the 5 mph rule on Dickinson county lakes expire once the necessary threshold to lift it has been reached. Based on current trajectories, that could happen perhaps early this coming weekend. That could be hampered, however, with rain chances in the forecast beginning Friday night.
A motion to extend the 5 mph rule for roughly another week beyond the threshold, was voted down. Commission member Dan Sanders, who made the motion, said he’s concerned letting the 5 mph rule expire could hamper emergency operations that are underway to repair damaged shorelines. A lakeshore property owner on East Lake Okoboji echoed the concern…
The economic impact of the 5 mph rule has had on the Iowa Great Lakes was also discussed. Blain Andera, CEO of the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, empathized with property owners with damaged shorelines, but also called on commission members not to reneg on the threshold for lifting the 5 mph rule. ..
Only two members voted in favor of the motion to extend the 5 mph rule. 9 other commission members opposed it. That means the rule will come off all Dickinson county lakes once the Okoboji’s reach 6.19 feet and remain there 72 hours.
Dickinson County Emergency Management will give an official notification once conditions have been satisfied and the 5 mph rule goes off. Boaters will be urged, however, to use extreme caution and to proceed at a very slow speed along those shorelines that do have damage. Maps with those sensitive areas are being put together and will be widely distributed through the media, marinas, and the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce.
