COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Branch County Sheriff John Pollack and County Drain Commissioner Michael Hard are asking boaters to slow down due to the high lake levels which have been caused by the heavy rains of the last week.
Nearly four inches of rain has fallen since last Friday and that has led to high water problems in Branch County for the second time in three months.
Excessive wakes on lakes with high water could cause property damage and some hard feelings between lake residents and boaters.
Some lake residents have reported their docks are underwater. Others say they can fish from their yards.
Pollack told the Branch County Board of Commissioners Thursday that the Sheriff’s Department and the Drain Commissioner do not have the power to issue a slow-no wake advisory.
He says according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, there is no such thing as a temporary slow-no wake zone, so local authorities can’t make that call and they can’t issue write or issue citations for that.
Pollack said they are working with the D.N.R. to see if there is some kind of resolution.
The Sheriff said if it can be proven that your wake is causing property damage, you could be held liable.
