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Boaters urged to stay off Harrison Lake

Wake can further damage already vulnerable dikes and retaining walls
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The Village closed the walkway around the lagoon on Tuesday

Boaters are being urged to stay off the water as local rivers and lakes rise throughout the Fraser River basin.

Roger Poulton, emergency coordinator for Agassiz and Harrison Hot Springs, said Tuesday that boaters should refrain from being on the lake.

A section of Rockwell Drive, which travels along the eastern shore of Harrison Lake, was affected by high water over the weekend.

He echoed the statement made by the province on Tuesday that boat traffic on water experiencing flooding should be restricted to emergency use only.

Higher waters can bring extra debris or submerged objects, putting boaters at greater risk. Docks and loading areas may be submerged, damaged or even destroyed and should not be relied on.

The province also reminded that shorelines are extremely vulnerable to damage from boat wakes and prop wash.

Wake activity can further damage dikes and retaining walls, churn up more sediment and degrade the aquatic environment.

As always, boaters are also reminded that alcohol is a major factor in recreational boating incidences, causing 40 per cent of fatalities.

Water was high in Harrison on Tuesday, but far from breaching the main dike along Esplanade. Water did breach the rip rap wall into the lagoon, causing the Village to close the popular walkway.

For more information, visit www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca.