Sheriff enacts boating ban on Keuka Lake

May 21, 2014 at 11:05 pm by Observer-Review


Sheriff enacts boating ban on Keuka Lake   ADVERTISEMENT

Sheriff enacts boating ban on Keuka Lake

KEUKA LAKE--Yates County Sheriff Ron Spike enacted a ban on operating motorized vessels on Keuka Lake Wednesday, May 21. He said the ban will be in effect until the water receded more, anticipating to make the decision to lift it next week. The sheriff said no wake orders still apply on Seneca and Canandaigua Lakes at this time.
 "I regret it is a holiday weekend, but the public safety has to be the dominant factor here," Spike said. "A lot of debris [is] floating in the lake and those boaters not heeding the five miles per hour no wake rule caused us to take it to a higher step. This is all a part of the state of emergency that continues."
Spike said the last time a boating ban was enacted on the lake was 15 years ago due to high water, adding the time before that was during the flood of 1972. He said Keuka Lake was the highest above normal having peaked at 715.7 feet Friday, May 16. A "no wake” order was put into effect at the time. Spike said the normal height for this time of year would be 714.2 feet. As of Wednesday, Spike said the lake level is at 715.2 feet, and is gradually rescinding as the five gates at Penn Yan are wide open discharging into the Keuka Outlet to Seneca Lake.
"Although boat traffic has been minimal, many boaters, especially from out of the region have not heeded the 'no wake' rule and two concerns remain: (1.) the amount of floating debris in the lakes of dock parts, trees, and other obstructions is dangerous to boaters,  and (2.) the many docks that remain under water being further damaged by boat wakes. Thus a life and property safety issue is concerning."
Spike said sheriff marine patrol will be enforcing the ban and violators may be charged with disorderly conduct. He said public boat launching sites at Penn Yan, Keuka Lake State Park and Branchport are requested to be closed to motorized vessel launches and marinas are also advised. Spike said should there be an “exigent” circumstance requiring an exception consideration, call the sheriff’s office at 315-536-4438.

 

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