St. John's River Emergency Rule Lifted
Emergency rule caused by storm related debris lifted in portions of the St. Johns River

Posted Oct. 14, 2008

 
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The emergency rule governing vessels on the St. Johns River has been lifted.

The Lake George-to-Highland Park Canal and Highland Park-to-I-4 emergency zones have been cancelled, and the waters have returned to normal boater operator regulations, pre-tropical storm status.

Boaters can now access portions of the river that have been under emergency-rule vessel restrictions for the safety of boaters since August, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officials.

Water levels may change each day. The best way to find out if a vessel restriction has changed is to check the levels daily at www.weather.gov/ahps and reference the gauge associated with the particular section of the river you are concerned about. The gauges located at Astor (ASTF1), Deland (DLAF1), near Sanford (SNFF1) and near Geneva (GENF1) are used to determine the water levels at Lake George to Highland Park Canal and Highland Park to I-4.

Some boat ramps in the area remain closed. Boaters should check with their local government agencies to learn about the status of boat ramps on the St. Johns River.

Although the emergency rule has been lifted, Mullet Lake Park and Lemon Bluff are still idle-speed, no-wake zones.