Governor Cuomo’s Office says the governor has extended the emergency five mph speed limit on Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River Boaters for another month. The requirement to operate at idling speed within 600 feet of shore now extends to September 2nd.
The requirement was put in place in May when the lake rose to an unprecedented 249 feet above sea level, triggering floods of the shoreline properties. It’s intended to prevent boat wakes from making things worse.
The wet summer following the wet spring means Lake Ontario hasn’t dropped as much as hoped. It now stands at 247.92 feet, or just over 247 feet 11 inches. That’s the first time it’s been blow 248 feet since the flooding started, but still more than two feet above the long term average for this time of year.