Boaters urged to show extra caution due to debris in lake and tributaries

Photo by Tom Rivers: A boater passes through the channel at Oak Orchard Harbor at Point Breeze in this photo from May 28, 2015. Boaters are being asked to respect a 500-foot no-wake zone near the shore due to high Lake Ontario waters.

Press Release, Orleans County Undersheriff Chris Bourke

(Editor’s Note: The article was updated to say the state boat launch on Archibald Road is closed due to high water levels.)

Orleans County Sheriff’s Undersheriff Christopher Bourke would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that the 2017 boating and fishing season is upon us and the Sheriff’s Office Marine Division is in service and ready to assist people enjoying the waterways of Orleans County this summer.

Despite Lake Ontario and the rivers being at an all-time high, small craft boating, canoeing, kayaking and fishing is allowable and has not been restricted in any way. Sheriff Randy Bower is asking boaters to take into consideration the erosion occurring along shoreline properties and to respect a 500 feet no-wake zone when near shore. The lakes and rivers have debris in them so extra caution should be taken so as to not damage your vessel or equipment.

Many privately owned marinas are open but may be partially underwater so it is best to contact them for launching and docking arrangements. The Orleans County Launch at Point Breeze is open, as well as the boat launches at Lake Alice, Glenwood Lake and the Erie Canal. (The state boat launch on Archibald Road is closed due to high water levels.)

The Orleans County Marine Park on Point Breeze Road is also open and ready for the season with our newly constructed playground for children, pavilions, picnic tables and bathroom facilities.

Please call 585-589-3102 or check out the Orleans County Tourism website and Facebook page for updates on dock rental at the Marine Park as well as upcoming summer activities such as our fantastic “Tuesday Night in the Park” Summer Concert Series, Classic Car Cruise Nights and great family events.

Also please refer to the Tourism webpage and Facebook page for their weekly fishing report as Orleans County continues to be one of the premier fishing destinations in the country.

For any questions regarding upcoming boater’s safety classes, requests for vessels safety checks, or general questions for the Sheriff’s Marine Division, you may call the Marine Office at 585-682-4366.

The Sheriff’s Office wishes everyone a safe summer.