The DNR is reminding boaters to keep safety in mind this 4th of July weekend when they’re out on the water, as it’s one of the busiest times of the year for Wisconsin waterways. They say you can expect to see more DNR Wardens and law enforcement on high alert for anyone operating under the influence as part of the annual Operating Dry Water Campaign that runs July 2nd-4th. The DNR reports that alcohol use is a leading factor in recreational boating fatalities, and that nearly 80% of fatal boating incidents involve drowning. Since Operation Dry Water began in 2009, law enforcement across the nation have removed more than 4,700 impaired operators from waterways, with 638 being removed in 2021. In Wisconsin this year, there have been 6 fatal boating incidents, 2 of those remain under investigation for alcohol or other drugs as a factor.
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