Rising Lake Levels Create Hazards For Boaters

New Melones, CA – If you plan on boating this Memorial Day weekend, law enforcement warns of possible dangers lurking in the waters below that can be deadly.

With sunny skies bringing warm weather, Tuolumne County Sheriff’s officials expect the waterways to be packed. However, they caution boaters to watch out for some hazards just under the water’s surface that the winter’s rainfall may have covered up. Sheriff’s officials add that not all hazard buoys are in place and there are still many large logs and pieces of wood floating in or under the water.

The Memorial Day weekend along with the Fourth of July and Labor Day make up nearly 14% of all accidents each year, according to the Sheriff’s Office Boating Enforcement team, which asks boaters make sure all required safety equipment is onboard the vessel before leaving the dock.  They also urge that one person be designated as a lookout and familiarize themselves with the location of the safety equipment onboard. Additionally, making sure all adhere to safety measures while in the boat, which includes keeping hands inside the vessel near the dock, avoiding carbon monoxide exhaust and staying clear of the propeller.

Everyone should wear a life jacket as it dramatically increases your chance of survival in a boating mishap, according to sheriff’s officials.  For boating law information click here.