Areas Closed to Boating

Flooding, Fire, Algae and Oil prevent boating activities across the US

The ongoing catastrophe in the Gulf barely needs to be mentioned, as coastal boaters only seem to be leaving port these days if they're helping clean up the endless flow of oil. But that's not the only body of water in the country hampered with boating restrictions.

Lake Campbell in South Dakota is closed to boaters due to flooding that has resulted in dangerously high water levels.

Kaibab Lake, which was closed to boating due to the Eagle Rock Fire in Williams, Arizona, is now reopened. Apparently helicopters were using the lake to get water to help put out the fire. But check the Forest Service website before venturing out there, as the fire was not fully contained as of this writing.

Flooding forces Big Lake in Holt County, Missouri to close to recreational boating, and that may be the case for a good part of the summer (read more).

In Idaho, well, let's just say you should pay attention to this one. It's confusing for those of us who don't live near active dams. Avista, a utility company, had to alert boat owners as it opened Post Falls Dam when waters on Lake Coeur d'Alene were on the rise high due to heavy rainfall.

This sent skippers along the Spokane River scrambling to move their boats to deeper water, as water drained out of the river through the open dam. Okay, that wasn't so bad, but for a better explanation check out the full story from Jeff Humphrey at KXLY.

In Ohio, it's potentially-toxic blue-green algae that's keeping boaters and swimmers out of the water at Grand Lake St. Marys. Check for an update from state regulators about the danger level there before venturing into that lake, located between Toledo and Dayton.

Let us know if anything is keeping you from boating that other boaters need to be aware of.

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