Labor Day is the last hoorah for many boaters, and the Department of Natural Resources stresses safety while on the water. 

DNR Conservation Officer Dustin Eighmy says that they will see an increase of people taking their water vessels to a body of water in the county. Eighmy mentions they will be out patrolling and reminding people of correct procedures. He says that if people have plans of heading to the Raccoon River as they know that the water level is too low for motor vehicles and limited to kayaks, canoes and tubers. 

“From what I’ve heard and what I’ve seen out there, it’s a pretty slow float. So what we ask is that you just plan accordingly. Make sure you follow or have a float plan. Leave that with someone that before you go out that you’re leaving at this time. You plan to arrive at the next boat ramp at this time, take a charge cell phone with you just in case there is an emergency.”

Eighmy notes that the river is always changing so he urges people to look out for log jams and floating debris in the water.