DNR responds to call at Farmer’s Beach

The long awaited warm weather, combined with a long holiday weekend, filled Clear Lake with activity.  But with the exception of an underage drinking incident at Farmer’s Beach still under investigation, it was a safe holiday on the lake, according to State Conservation Officer Ben Bergman.

The DNR was called to Farmer’s Beach Thursday afternoon, July 4, on the report of a person experiencing difficulty.   The Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the scene.  Bergman said the incident is still being investigated, however one person was transported to the hospital.

Bergman pointed out Farmer’s Beach, on the lake’s south shore, is a private beach open to the public.  

“It’s an isolated area and there was lots of drinking occurring there during the holiday weekend.  The Thursday holiday stretched into a busy weekend on the lake.  There was absolutely a lot of alcohol-- especially minors drinking and those over the top,” said Bergman.

Five underage persons were cited in possession of alcohol, he reported.

The DNR also advertised in advance of the holiday that it would be stepping up enforcement of the new .08 alcohol limit for boat operators that became law on July 1, 2011.  Bergman said he noticed more boaters using designated drivers and said no BWI citations were issued on Clear Lake during the holiday weekend.