| Updated: 6/29/2012 9:28 pm |
Published: 6/29/2012 9:26 pm
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A lack of rain and the blistering heat has kept the Illinois River levels low.
Ed Fite, with the Oklahoma Scenic River Commission, says these are the lowest levels he’s seen this time of year since he began working with the department.
"We're down approximately one foot," he said.
Fite began working with the agency in 1983. He says these low levels affect the rivers flow.
"The water conditions right now are getting to a point where in the next couple of weeks if we continue to go without appreciable rainfall in the basin the commercial float operators will have to make a choice of whether they float the rafts," Fite told FOX23.
But resorts like Arrowhead say it hasn't hurt business. In fact, last Saturday, they 1,234 people sign up to float. That is the most people to sign up since the business started.
“The river is just slow it's not low. It's slow,” said Austin Spears, a manager with Arrowhead Resort.
He says once the current picks up they'll be fine.
"When the river levels are like this we recommend you take the shorter trip," Spears said.
"It's important folks realize that they're going to still have fun just take a shorter trip so they don't become so exhausted towards the end of the trip," said Fite.
The Oklahoma Scenic River commission is also looking for volunteers to help clean the river. They will offer a free trip down the river to help. So, far Arrowhead says 100 people have helped out this year. If you would like to volunteer you can reach OSR at 918-456-3251.
