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DNR Officials Warn of High Waters In Creeks, Ponds

Department of Natual Resources officials and local law enforcement are dealing with a new problem so far this summer.

Because of massive amounts of rain to date, area streams, rivers and creeks are well above their banks and that is creating new challenges for law enforcement locally. According to John Williamson, DNR conservation police officer, people not properly prepared are taking to waterways with strong currents and are finding themselves in grave danger.

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According to Williamson, when the waters rise in these waterways the currents begin to pick up and not only can they carry people off along with heavier, more deadly objects.

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For agencies such as DNR or the fire departments that get paged to these calls, they must find a way to better educate people on the dangers or rising waters and safety in these areas. Williamson says it is interesting because it is a new challenge they haven't faced before.

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DNR has joined forces with local emergency response agencies to formulate a plan of action if these occurrences continue to happen. Williamson feels they did several good things in responding to the recent situations, but also feels there are things that need improved.

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Williamson says before you put a kayak or water raft on a moving body of water, get used to the equipment. He says practice paddling and get to know how it reacts to that.

He also emphasizes the importance of life jackets. He points to recent tragedies in west central Illinois where lives were lost in moving bodies of water and the victims weren't wearing life jackets.

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