Lifting Of "no Wake" Order

  NARRATIVE:Winnebago County Sheriff Richard Meyers has lifted the “NO WAKE” restriction on the Rock River in Winnebago County.  The Sheriff’s Department has replaced the missing marker buoys and inspected the river conditions earlier today, and we feel the conditions that resulted in the restrictions are no longer such a significant hazard.  Over the past several days, the Sheriff’s Department has been working with the Winnebago County Highway Department to remove the large number of trees and other debris that is in the river, caught on bridges and other obstructions, from the recent floods. Additionally, users of the river should avoid the area south of the State Street Bridge as the safety cable at the Fordam Dam is missing due to damage from the recent flooding.  Although the river is open with no restrictions, the Sheriff’s Department urges recreational users of the river to please exercise caution and use good judgment.  The debris in the water and along the shores may work free as boat traffic increases with the lifting of the no wake order.  The presence of this debris in the river creates hazardous conditions, which are difficult to detect.  Skill and experience levels are more the concern now than the water conditions as far as safety considerations.       For current river conditions, and any further updates, contact the Sheriff’s Office at (815) 319-6300, or the Rock River information telephone line at (815) 316-8888.