Idle-speed, no-wake zone activated on Santa Fe River

An idle-speed, no-wake zone was activated, Feb. 19, on north central Florida's Santa Fe River, according to officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

Zone 8 begins at an unnamed island approximately 4.25 miles upstream from the confluence of the Santa Fe and Ichetucknee rivers (coordinates: 29° 54.527’ N, 82° 46.074’ W) and ends at the confluence of the Suwannee and Santa Fe rivers. This includes the Ichetucknee River upstream to the U.S. 27 Bridge. This zone activates when the Three Rivers gauge reaches 16.25 feet, and on Feb. 19, the water level reached 16.29 feet. The zone will remain activated until the water level recedes below the activation point.

"The higher water levels can create navigational hazards, such as floating debris, rocks, stumps and shoaling conditions, for unsuspecting boaters," said Capt. Clay Huff, FWC area supervisor. "We just want people to enjoy the river and be safe."

An idle-speed, no-wake zone means a vessel must proceed at a speed no greater than what is required to maintain steerageway and headway. but not so slowly that the operator is unable to control it or anything it may be towing. None of the other zones on the Santa Fe have been changed to idle-speed, no wake at the time of the press release.

For more information about the flood zones, call 386-758-0525. To report violations, call 888-404-3922.

To obtain real-time river level information, visit www.mysuwanneeriver.com.