5 idle-speed, no-wake zones activated on Suwannee, Santa Fe rivers
FWC photo of flooded Branford boat ramp.
There are now five activated idle-speed, no-wake zones on the Suwannee and Santa Fe rivers, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officials. The zones will remain activated until the water level recedes below the activation point.
Zone 1 - Runs 39 miles from the U.S. 90 Bridge at Ellaville south to the State Road 51 Bridge at Luraville.
Zone 3 - Runs 23 miles from Little River Spring to the County Road 340 Bridge at Rock Bluff.
Zone 6 on the Santa Fe - Starts at the centerline of the U.S. 27 Bridge downstream to 0.5 mile upstream from the State Road 47 Bridge.
Zone 7 - Runs from 0.5 mile upstream from the State Road 47 Bridge.
Zone 8 - Activated Feb. 19, gegins 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.
"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. At no time is any vessel required to proceed so slowly that the operator is unable to control it or anything it may be towing.
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.