BRADFORD COUNTY, Fla. -- Bradford County has closed Sampson Lake to all motorized vessel traffic.
The Bradford County Sheriff's Office and Bradford County Emergency Management made the decision to close the lake to all motorized vessel traffic Wednesday afternoon.
Water levels in Bradford County are approaching record levels and the waters are expected to rise.
Emergency Manager Brian Johns said boaters operating in the lake are creating a wake. The waves from the wake are then forcing water into homes along the shoreline. Johns said this is making flooding worse for homeowners.
All motorized vessel traffic will be prohibited from operating on Sampson Lake until the Bradford County Sheriffs' Office notifies people otherwise.
Deputies will be out enforcing the policy and will be issuing citations and fines.
As soon as water levels recede and the flooding concerns are alleviated, the lake will be reopened.
First Coast News