NAPLES, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- A rain storm which dumped upwards of 8 inches of rain on parts of the state five days ago is still causing problems.
Water levels are 2 to 3 feet higher than normal on the Songo River, a popular waterway with boaters, forcing the Department of Conservation to close the Songo Lock for at least this weekend.
Ron Hunt, the southern region manager with the Bureau of Parks and Lands says currents in the lock, which allows boaters to travel from Brandy Pond and Long Lake south to Sebago Lake, are just too dangerous.
"At the lock, we've got cross currents that are very strong and they tend to pull boats sideways," explained Hunt. "So when they are trying to target the gate opening to enter the lock, unless they are going very swiftly and have a lot of confidence, they can't get into the lock without potentially damaging their boat or injuring one of their party trying to push against the side."
A hand-cranked swing bridge, which crosses the Songo River just north of the lock, also is not safe to operate due to high water.
Hunt says despite the high water, all public boat launches in the area are open.
NEWS CENTER