Because of low water levels, Citrus County Public Works officials on Tuesday cautioned boaters on the east side of the county to be extra careful when launching and retrieving boats at county boat ramps.

This is the normally the end of the dry season, and water levels can get so low by this time of year that some ramps even have to be closed because of the dangerous conditions. The water levels in lakes and rivers in this part of Florida are totally dependent on rain, and the usual seasonal rainy season pattern has not yet set in.

If extreme low water levels in the Tsala Apopka Lake chain and the Withlacoochee River get to the point where boats, trailers vehicles and people could be endangered, certain boat ramps could be closed. If that happens, the county would announce any ramp closings and would send press releases to the local news media.

Officials said they were hoping, however, the summer rains would begin soon enough to keep that from happening, but they wanted to remind the boating public that low water creates dangerous conditions for people and equipment at boat ramps.