Concord – The state Department of Safety on Thursday adopted emergency rules restricting maximum operating speeds on four of the state's lakes due to high water levels resulting from the flooding.

Under the emergency rules, boaters may operate at no more than headway speed within 600 feet from shoreline of Silver Lake in the towns of Tilton and Belmont; Lake Winnipesaukee; Lake Winnisquam; and Lake Opechee.

Many docks, wharfs, stumps and rocks that would normally be visible are now wholly or partially obscured, resulting in a navigational hazard to boaters, the department said in a news release. It also has caused environmental damage, including erosion of the shoreline and pollutants in the public water.

Went out this pm. to fish a bit and take the boat off the lake. It seemed as though no one new about the no wake. Two cigarette boats were racing in Meredith bay. Some boats were even speeding within 150' of us and the shore line. It's going to be a wild weekend out there.