Due to increased flow from northern rivers, parts of the Santa Fe River are expected to flood by Friday, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
"It could stay flooded out for awhile," said Karen Parker, spokeswoman for the commission.
Areas near Hildreth and Fort White are at a high risk for flooding, with a 32-mile segment of the Santa Fe River from River Rise in O'Leno State Park west to the where it joins with the Suwannee River declared an idle-speed, no wake zone Tuesday. This requires boaters to go no faster than required to maintain steerageway and headway.
However, Parker said boaters should try to stay off the river during these conditions, as currents are strong and boaters could collide with fast-moving debris.
"You could be idling along and have something slam into your boat," she said.
Major flooding is predicted around April 18, with the Santa Fe River near Fort White rising to about 34 feet, 10 feet above flood level. Parker said officers from the commission will patrol the river to help people if they become stranded.
On Wednesday, the part of the river near Three Rivers Estates inched over the 19-foot flood level and is predicted to keep rising, according to a press release.
