LIVE OAK, Fla. -- The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has deactivated boating restrictions for Zone 4 on the Suwannee River.

Zone 4 consists of the area of the Suwannee River from the County Road 340 Bridge at Rock Bluff to one mile below the Fowler Bluff boat ramp.

The FWC activated boating restrictions for this stretch of the Suwannee on July 4.

"We verified with the Suwannee River Water Management District that the water level has fallen below the required 9 feet at Wilcox (gauge)," said Captain Marti Redmond, area supervisor at the FWC's Lake City office.

"Even though the restrictions have been lifted on this zone, we highly recommend people avoid boating on the Suwannee and Santa Fe rivers until normal conditions and water levels return.  There are many navigational hazards along the rivers at this time," Redmond said.

Potential dangers include floating debris, submerged navigational hazards and extremely strong currents. Vessels moving through the rivers could also cause extra damage to property due to wakes from the vessels.

"FWC officers are patrolling the rivers and continuing to assist local communities to help people dealing with the aftermath of Tropical Storm Debby," said Redmond.

Zone 5 of the Santa Fe is still an idle-speed, no-wake zone.  FWC activated the declaration June 29.  Officers are still enforcing that area.

First Coast News