With a sweltering heat wave ahead, area emergency management directors are reminding residents that rivers remain unsafe for swimming and recreation.

According to Humboldt County Emergency Management Director Kyle Bissell, the west fork of the Des Moines River is still more than a foot above flood stage and moving very quickly. The county remains in a flood warning until at least Monday.

“Please stay off of the river at this time as it is still very dangerous,” said Bissell. “The rapid waters can easily overpower a watercraft and there is still debris coming down the river that could cause a watercraft to become disabled or worse.”

In Webster County, the Des Moines River has fallen from its 17.12 crest on June 28, but Webster County Emergency Management Director Dylan Hagen says the waters remain problematic along some parts of the river. Boat access at many points throughout Webster County remains closed.

“We encourage people to stay off the waters at this time,” added Hagen.

The Des Moines River in both Webster and Humboldt counties crested at historic highs of more than 17 feet in some locations at the end of June, causing moderate flooding and infrastructure damage.