Law enforcement officials patrol lakes: Operation Dry Water in full effect before Fourth of July weekend

WALWORTH Co. (WITI) -- If you're going to be on the water this weekend, expect some extra company. Operation Dry Water is a national effort that's currently underway, cracking down on drunk boating.

15,000 lakes in Wisconsin and Warden Juan Gomez and Recruit Mike Weber are patrolling one of them.

Weber made it through the DNR Training Academy earlier this year, and has moved on to field training -- and he's right in time for Operation Dry Water.

"We serve a dual purpose, not only are we doing recreational boating enforcement, we are also checking out sports fisherman," said Gomez.

Delavan Lake attracts a wide pool, and wardens are watchful of everyone. Anyone fishing can be checked for a valid license and safety gear, and that interaction can give wardens an idea if anyone has been drinking.

One boat didn't have an up-to-date registration sticker, which is grounds for an automatic stop. The operator, who said he had been drinking, was brought on board the warden's boat for a field test. Luckily, he was under the legal limit of .08.

Wardens are out, Coast Guard, DNR -- basically any agency with a boat is out this weekend. Right before the 4th of July, they're educating boaters, but also writing tickets when they need to.

But it's not just law enforcement deterring drinking, a chance of storms has kept lake traffic down today. Still, plenty of boaters to keep these wardens busy all night.