DNR to Conduct Special Safety Campaign Saturday in North Iowa

There will be extra law enforcement presence on the state’s waterways this holiday weekend, including in north Iowa.

Operation Dry Water, sponsored by the National Boating Association, promotes water craft safety and having safety equipment on board. The Iowa DNR and the Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office will concentrate efforts this Saturday at the Mitchell Impoundment on the Cedar River at Mitchell, which will feature fireworks Saturday night.

Jacob Fulk, DNR Conservation Officer for Mitchell and Floyd counties, says they’ll have an extra boat on patrol checking boaters for safety equipment including fire extinguishers, lifejackets, and navigation lights, which are required after dark, even during the fireworks show.

Fulk notes that while fireworks on boats aren’t illegal, it’s not recommended.

Fulk adds that the sheriff’s office is assisting the project to check safety in areas along shore that can’t be reached by boat. He says they’ll also be watching drinking and boating closely throughout the July 4th weekend.