High Water means Boat Safety is a Must

The Zanesville Fire Department is urging boaters to take caution on the water after recent rainfall.

Fire Fighter Greg Brocklehurst said high water means you may not see logs and debris that are visible when water is at a normal level.

“You’re going to run into trouble if you’re not familiar the river,” said Brocklehurst. “There will be different types of snags. There will be logs in there that were showing when the water was at normal level but then when it rises a lot of those logs get covered up and some get washed in from the bank.”

Other safety standards the Fire Department hopes boaters will keep in mind when taking to the river are keeping enough life jackets for all on board, and maintaining lights on both the stern and bough.

“If it’s at norm pool, then we’ll just keep an eye out there,” said Brocklehurst. “They just cautious about what they’re doing and other boaters. Not just what’s in the river. ”

July 4th weekend will likely bring a high volume of boats to the river and the department said you should take your boat out before that day in order to insure everything is running smoothly.