Wayne County authorities have declared a special state of emergency governing boaters because of unusually high water levels on Lake Ontario. They’re ordering all boaters to operate at idle speed only…leaving no wake in the county’s bays and harbors.
The Wayne County Board of Supervisors and Sheriff Barry Virts say this applies to Sodus Bay, Port Bay, East Bay, Blind Sodus Bay, Pultneyville Harbor and Bear Creak Harbor. Their statement says the bays and harbors are at or above flood level of just over 247 feet. They say under these conditions, boating traffic could cause hazardous shoreline erosion and property damage.
The Village of Sodus Point began offering residents sandbags this week to pile along their shoreline properties, hoping to hold back the water if high winds or storms should develop. Heavy rains earlier this month have Lake Ontario close to a foot higher than normal.
