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DNR reminds boaters to 'own their wake'

With high water levels, The DNR says wake can cause significant shoreline damage.

At Long Lake, you won't find anyone more excited to be out on the water than Riley Coley.

"Oh man I love it," said Coley.

It's his first time out on a boat this year. He's also noticed the high water levels.

"It's extra high man," said Coley.

With high water levels, slow-no wake signs were posted this week. 

"Not trying to speed out here," said Coley.

No wake signs are popping up throughout the state.

"A lot of lakes are seeing high levels of water since the open water occurred," said Mike Lerchen with the DNR. 

Signs from County Sheriff's Offices will be posted in areas where slow-no wake has been declared. Slow-no wake means the operation of a watercraft at the slowest possible speed necessary to maintain steerage. In no case greater than 5 mph.

This is to protect shorelines.

Winter ice-jacking and high water levels this spring have already damaged shorelines across the state.

"That wake the boat creates is going to have an impact shoreline and people's property and docks," said Lerchen. "Try to have boaters own their wake."

The DNR is also reminding boaters that high fast water can hide debris that would normally be visible.

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