Following discussions with officials from the City of Janesville, Rock County Sheriff Knudson is declaring a slow-no-wake speed restriction on the Rock River from the West Highway 14 Bridge to the W. Centerway St. Dam on July 4 from 5:00 p.m. to midnight. This area of the Rock River becomes very chaotic and dangerous due to the large number of boats on the Rock River for the 4th of July fireworks celebration. The slow-no-wake restriction will insure all boaters are traveling at a safe speed before and after the event.

The Sheriff’s Office and Department of Natural Resources Boat Patrol units will be on the water on July 4th, and will be enforcing safety violations including the slow-no-wake ordinance. Safety is Sheriff Knudson’s primary concern during the July 4th celebration, and he encourages all boaters to boat safely during the Janesville Fireworks.

The Sheriff’s Office is providing public notice of the Rock River’s Fourth of July’s slow-no-wake status. Deputies will place slow-no-wake signs along the river at all public access points between the West Highway 14 Road Bridge and the Centerway Dam the morning of July 4.