NATCHEZ — The rising waters of the Mississippi River have put a halt to recreational boat traffic in lakes and tributaries on the Mississippi side of the river.

Recreational boating was causing a variety of issues in the river’s flood waters and forced Gov. Haley Barbour to issue an executive order to allow the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to suspend recreational boating on May 13, Department of Wildlife Law Enforcement Chief Lt. Col. Steve Adcock said.

“The main (issue) was water encroaching in and around homes, and people were complaining that boats were washing water into their homes,” Adcock said.

“Also the water was getting close to power lines and major (transmitter) lines, and if we couldn’t stop traffic they would have to shut the lines down.”

“When the water gets back down to a level where we don’t have to worry about those things (recreational boating will be allowed).”

Adcock said there were some issues enforcing the suspension at first, but those have mostly subsided.

“Most everyone is cooperating,” Adcock said. “When we first put the order out a lot of people with property in the areas were having trouble with people riding around or looting. It helped them to protect their property.”

“We’ve had some complaints about it from people wanting to ride and look, but there is no valid reason to be in those areas.”

Adcock said the suspension applies to the river, lakes and tributaries within the flood area. It also applies to all recreational boating, including fishing boats.

Although the lakes and tributaries on the Mississippi side of the river are off limits, recreational boaters in Louisiana can still use the lakes and tributaries in their state, public information spokesman Adam Einck for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries said.

“Some landings have been closed (in the area),” Einck said. “(But boating has not been closed) at this time in that area.”

Einck said it is possible that recreational boating could be suspended but that is up to the parish police jury presidents.

If that happens, Einck said the presidents will issue an emergency declaration announcing what areas will be closed off and when.

After that, the Department of Wildlife and local law enforcement will try to get the word out to the public about the suspension and then start charging repeat offenders, he said.