High Water/No Wake/Request for No Wake
**UPDATE 5-27-2022**
Water levels throughout Stearns County have dropped, but at different rates on individual lakes. The current emergency NO WAKE on the entire water surface for the Sauk River Chain of Lakes near Cold Spring and Richmond is still in effect. Stearns County Ord. 534 for Grass Lake, Clearwater Lake, Augusta Lake, Carolina Lake, Lake Maria, and Lake Louisa is also still in effect. That Ord. creates a NO WAKE zone within 300 feet of shore. Several other lakes have been moved to the Requested No Wake restriction. Those lakes are Koronis, Rice, Browns, and Two Rivers. Stearns County Sheriff Steve Soyka asks for the public’s assistance in following these restrictions and requests. Please “Own Your Wake” and be mindful of water conditions and the potential for items hidden by high water levels.
**UPDATE 05-20-2022**
A reminder that the Emergency No Wake Order enacted by Sheriff Soyka and the additional restrictions on the previously reported lakes are still in effect. The restrictions will be removed in 30 days or when the water recedes back to near-normal levels. We ask for your cooperation and that you remain patient as we navigate these high water issues.
**UPDATED INFORMATION 05-16-2022**
Koronis, Rice, Brown, and Big Lake have been added to the list of lakes with current No Wake Zone restrictions.
**CORRECTED INFORMATION 05-13-2022**
Beaver and Carnelian lakes were mistakenly included on the list but there is no request at this time for “No Wake” on those bodies of water.
Stearns County Sheriff Steve Soyka is requesting the public’s assistance due to the recent rain events in Stearns County. The significant rainfall events this week have led to high water conditions on all Stearns County area lakes and rivers.
Stearns County Ordinance 534 has been triggered as a result of these high levels. That ordinance places a NO WAKE restriction within 300 feet of shore on Grass Lake, Clearwater Lake, Augusta Lake, Carolina Lake, Lake Maria, and Lake Louisa. These lakes all border Wright County. Ordinance 534 has a mirrored ordinance for Wright County enforcement as well.
Several other area lakes have been posted with “Emergency No Wake Zone” signs to operate watercraft at slow or NO WAKE speeds. Those lakes are Carnelian, Beaver, Two Rivers, and the entire Sauk River Chain of Lakes in the Richmond and Cold Spring area.
Sheriff Soyka is asking the boating public to be aware of current lake conditions and to reduce their speed and operate at a NO WAKE speed when within 300 feet of shore. If the wake from your boat will reach the shore, you are probably going too fast.
The current high-water conditions combined with unnecessary wakes has the potential to cause damage to both the shoreline, submerged or partially submerged docks and lifts, and in some cases, residences. Please be mindful of these conditions and take the appropriate actions.
This weekend is also Minnesota’s Fishing Opener. Some accesses may be impacted by flooding and parking reduced. All parking rules are still in effect and boaters may not park where prohibited by sign or in such a manner as to create a traffic hazard. Additionally, please be aware of the possibility of submerged items like trees or docks that may have floated away from shore.
We hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable opener and is mindful of the high-water issues.
Dispatch 320-251-4240 | Records 320-259-3700
Email sheriff@co.stearns.mn.us | Twitter @Stearns_Sheriff
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