In a measure to preserve the shoreline and reduce potential damage from high water levels, Plymouth city officials have slammed the brakes on Medicine Lake's boating community, implementing a "slow - no wake" directive that is causing ripples of its own. Boats are now reduced to a crawl, to make sure their wakes don't further erode or flood the delicate shorelines, as seen in a notice that went up at the public boat launch.
Recent downpours have swelled the lake beyond its comfort zone, with GPS readings keeping tabs on this aquatic patient. On Monday and Tuesday, the lake hit 889.51 feet, just barely breaking the top of the high-water mark safety float at 889.4 feet. And here's the catch - the no-wake rule stays until the water levels sink and stay below that magic number for a full seventy-two hours, as reported by Plymouth's official website.
This isn't just Plymouth putting on a life jacket; its neighbor, Medicine Lake, has also strapped on the ordinance for such watery predicaments. It's a partnership that aims to keep both the boaters and the banks safe. Because let's face it, a soggy shoreline is more than just an eyesore, it can lead to property damage, erosion, and negatively affect the area's ecosystem.
Local boaters are being urged to keep tabs on the situation and plan accordingly as the enforcement of the ordinance remains as fluid as the weather. As anyone with even a casual relationship with Mother Nature will tell you, predicting the receding water levels is as much an art as it is science, and boaters might need to keep their speed in check for a little while longer. Keeping these high-water marks in sight and mind is critical for the health and longevity of the lake, as the cities of Plymouth and Medicine Lake understand all too well.
