Bonner County marine patrol hitting the water

SANDPOINT - The Bonner County sheriff's marine division is hitting the water as boaters begin making their way to Pend Oreille and Priest lakes for Memorial Day weekend.

The sheriff's office notes that serious anglers have been on the water for some time, but more recreational boaters will be shoving off. As a result, the marine division will start conducting limited weekend patrols on weekends starting this Saturday.

Boaters are reminded to have current registration and aquatic invasive species stickers affixed to their vessels. They're also being reminded to have quality life jackets and functional fire extinguishers.

"Recreational boaters can obtain a brief safety inspection by flagging down a patrol boat or visiting with a deputy at the launch ramp," the sheriff's office said in a news release.

Sheriff's officials recommend that boaters avoid two common issues that crop up on maiden voyages for the seasons - bad gas and poor batteries.

"You might be able to start your engine with last year's old, stale gas, but boaters oftentimes find themselves stranded with the engine quits or fails to restart. Weak batteries often lead to the same fate," the release said.

The level of Lake Pend Oreille is forecasted to be near 2,059 feet above sea level by this weekend. Although that elevation is 3 1/2 feet below full summer pool, sheriff's officials said it will still provide launch ramp access at City Beach, Memorial Field, Garfield Bay and the Hope boat basin.

Pend Oreille River launch ramps at Laclede, Morton Slough and Priest River should be accessible by all but the largest vessels, sheriff's officials said.

Boaters and anglers are advised to use caution on the Clark Fork River because peak daytime flows are at nearly 30,000 cubic feet per second. Those flows can drop dramatically, which can strand boaters on islands or gravel bars.

"Swift spring flows on the river always present a danger of sweepers and floating debris," the sheriff's office said.