Press Releases
07/19/2023
DEEP Issues Recreation Safety Reminder Regarding High Water and Summer Weather Forecast
(HARTFORD, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (“DEEP”) is reminding residents and visitors to exercise caution when recreating in and on the water considering the recent extreme weather events impacting the state and the region.
Excessive rainfall over the past few days has created abnormally high waters for this time of year. Hot temperatures are likely to bring many people to the shoreline and inland water bodies for swimming, boating, fishing, and spending time on the beach. The state parks system is one of the region’s premier tourist destinations, so DEEP wants everyone’s visits to be safe and enjoyable.
“With a busy Connecticut State Parks summer season in full swing, we want to remind all visitors to have fun and be safe,” said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. “There are 110 state parks and 32 state forests, so please have a plan in place in case the location of your choice has been negatively impacted by the severe weather. Our varied and beautiful outdoor spaces support camping, picnicking, and hiking, in addition to swimming and boating. The best way to enjoy our amazing outdoor options is to do it safely.”
A directory of every state park in Connecticut can be found online by visiting ct.gov/deep/stateparks. DEEP is reminding the public to recreate safely around the water by observing the following precautions.
Boating
Boaters should be aware that the floodwaters and debris in waterways may have moved navigation aids and slow-no-wake zone buoys off station, which may make safe vessel operation more challenging, particularly in the Connecticut River. The public is asked to contact the DEEP Boating Division by phone at(860) 434-8638or by e-mail at deep.boating@ct.gov to report any regulatory markers off station. The U.S. Coast Guard (“USCG”) and DEEP are working to ensure that these get back in place as soon as possible.
High water, hazardous debris, and strong currents continue to affect the state’s rivers and create unsafe boating conditions. If you are going on the water in these areas, we recommend keeping a vigilant lookout for floating debris.
As of Tuesday, though the water remains high, no state boat launches are closed due to the flooding. Boaters should always check the DEEP Boating and Paddling website before heading out to launch for the latest updates. The dam barrier floats that are placed across the spillway at Eagleville Pond (Coventry) Dam were damaged, so boaters should be aware of the navigation hazard at that location.
Swimming
With hot weather forecasted through the upcoming weekend, the public may look to cool off in a river or stream, but many Connecticut rivers and streams are currently flooded and should be avoided. Swimming in or near flooded waterbodies with high waters, swift currents, and moving debris can pose serious dangers.
As of Tuesday morning, a number of state swimming areas have closed due to the detection of indicator bacteria, which are not disease-causing pathogens, but a tool used to evaluate the potential of contamination. Heavy rains, stormwater runoff, and animal waste are often the cause of these closings. Multiple retests will occur during the week, so visitors are encouraged to visit State Swimming Area Water Quality Report (ct.gov), as results may change daily.
Fishing
Fishing or wading in flooded waterbodies can be extremely hazardous due to floating debris, swift currents, and potential changes in river topography due to shifting sediments. Use extreme caution and wait for water levels to subside before fishing in flooded areas.
Debris on Shoreline Beaches
Debris from the high water levels across Connecticut has entered Long Island Sound and is washing up on many of our shoreline beaches, including Hammonasset Beach State Park. We expect beaches will continue to receive debris until inland water levels have receded. Parks staff will continue to work diligently to clean up debris. However, we would encourage the public to use caution when recreating along the shoreline and wear protective footwear while swimming or walking on the beach.Natural debris that enters Connecticut’s waterways such as trees, logs, and limbs are not marked or removed by DEEP or the USCG unless such debris is lodged and blocking a federal navigation channel, in which case the USCG will address it. Debris that washes up upon a private shoreline is the responsibility of the property owner.
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Contact
DEEP Communications
DEEP.communications@ct.gov
860-424-3110