The heat and humidity that’s expected over the next several days will send people to area lakes are rivers to cool off.
But after several water rescues over the weekend, and an arrest Monday, police and rescue crews are warning people to be careful on the water.
This weekend, Waterloo and Valley Fire were busy responding to a handful of calls at the Elkhorn River. Waterloo said all the calls involved people drinking.
Then Monday night on Lake Manawa, a woman was arrested and was also intoxicated.
“She was so intoxicated, she laid naked in front of everybody,” said Iowa Conservation Officer Richard Price.
He hopes that can be an example for those who plan to drink on the water over the next few days.
“There is always more at stake than just that day, so think about everything that is stake in your life and what losses you are going to have if you drink too much,” he said.
He said this year people seem to be more reckless on the water.
“It is just carelessness and not respecting the water.”
Price hopes with the heat wave coming this week, people remember to act responsibly.
“Remember these are public places, so when you are on a river or lake, unless it is a private pond, that is public water and you can get public intoxication, public nudity, indecent exposure, everything you think is private other people are around.”
Price also said that people need to wear their life vests, that people always seem to have them, but don’t wear them on the water.
