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Enjoy the lake, but be careful

CSRD calls for boaters to slow down, leave no wake
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The sign says it all: Watch for debris and slow down to protect wildlife habitat. Image credit: Photo contributed

Getting out on the lake may be appealing but it also poses danger to humans and animal, who call the shoreline home.

Columbia Shuswap Regional District staff are posting warnings at Shuswap Lake marinas to remind boaters that a flood watch is in effect in the Shuswap.

Hot temperatures earlier in the week have led to significant snow melt, and rising river and lake levels. Recent thundershowers and rain has added to this runoff.

Precipitation totals since Wednesday have been in the five to 25 mm range, with the highest amounts of precipitation being observed in the Shuswap, East Okanagan, Kettle and West Kootenay regions.

Along with water comes a lot of debris, some of it very difficult to see, so boaters are advised to slow down and be on high alert.

As well, this is nesting season for a variety of birds and some of their habitat is nearly under water. The wake from a boat can mean the difference between nests surviving or being destroyed.