tamatoledonews.com- Boaters, anglers, paddlers and swimmers are encouraged to use caution if planning to spend time on Iowa rivers or flood control reservoirs. Near record flooding over much of the state has sent rivers out of their banks and sending downed trees and other debris downstream.

“Our rivers are always changing but with the recent flooding, I would really encourage boaters to head to a lake because our rivers and flood control reservoirs really are not safe in their current condition,” said Susan Stocker, boating law administrator with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

“The force of the flood waters will most likely have moved around logs and other obstacles in the streams that will be hidden beneath the surface. With all the runoff, you just can’t see where those obstacles are and that makes boating on these swollen rivers a risk not worth taking.”

Stocker said boating on Iowa lakes will be busy and that boaters should exercise patience at the boat ramp and practice safe boating on the water.