Sheriff's Office • 100 North Fifth Avenue West • Duluth, MN 55802
Phone: (218) 726-2340 • www.stlouiscountymn.gov
Ross Litman
Sheriff
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 5/18/2022
Media Contact: Undersheriff Jason Lukovsky
(218) 726-2339
Sheriff's Office issues boat and water safety reminders with high and rising water levels throughout the county
With water levels high and continuing to rise on many lakes and waterways throughout St. Louis County, the Sheriff's Office wants to remind people to use caution and be aware when on the water. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for all water enforcement on lakes and waterways within our jurisdiction, which is approximately 165,000 acres of water in North St. Louis County alone.
The Sheriff's Office contracts the buoying and navigational marking on certain waterways in St. Louis County, and is currently working with the contractors to ensure that these buoys and markers are placed, but have been delayed due to high water levels and late ice out on these lakes. The Sheriff’s Office is also heavily involved and continues with enforcement and safety measures on the border waters located in Voyageur’s National Park. This includes the lakes of Crane, Kabetogama, Sand Point, and Namakan and also on Lake Superior in and around the Port.
Additionally, the Sheriff's office would like to remind everyone about hazards related to the high water levels to ensure that everyone stays safe as we start the Minnesota fishing and boating season. With the high water levels, many shoreline property owners and businesses are experiencing damages to their properties due to flooding and erosion. This high water levels are also creating navigational hazards for boaters, with debris entering the water via flooding. Normal navigational routes may not be the same and could provide hazards and obstacles. The Sheriff's Office would like to remind boaters to slow down, pay close attention to surroundings, and avoid creating undo wakes when traveling near shorelines. Be courteous to fellow boaters and property owners by doing your part on the water. Please be sure to wear you lifejackets whenever venturing out to enjoy a day on the lake!
Enjoy your time on the water and above all be safe!
Undersheriff Jason Lukovsky
 Debris is floating in Orr Bay on Pelican Lake.
 An aeriel view shows high water on the Pelican River near Highway 53.
 Boaters are encouraged to watch for debris floating in area lakes, such as this log floating in open water in Pelican Lake.
 High water is causing erosion and shore line damage on many area lakes.
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