While boaters are still asked to take caution on the waters this week, the Cass County Office of Emergency Management is predicting smooth sailing for aquatic enthusiasts this coming holiday weekend.

The wake advisory issued by the county earlier this month is set to expire Thursday, just in time for the long Labor Day weekend. With the high water levels in area lakes caused by the massive rainstorm Aug. 15 returning to normal, boaters should be free to enjoy the lakes by week’s end, according to Emergency Manager David Smith.

The emergency management office originally issued the wake advisory on Aug. 17, following the massive downpour that hit Cass County and other surrounding counties that left some lakes with up to 2 to 3 inches of additional water, Smith said.

“We had a lot of calls from lake residents and associations asking us to put out some type of advisory asking people to avoid causing wakes if at all possible,” he said.

Originally set to expire Aug. 23, the advisory was extended to Sept. 1 after Smith had received complaints that the water levels at Christiana, Juno and Painter lakes in Edwardsburg as well as Long Lake located in Porter Township were still dangerously high, he said.

Wakes, or the flow of water that is generated by boats moving at high speeds, can be dangerous to lakeside property owners when water levels are higher than normal, with waters sometimes reaching over sea walls and into homes, Smith said.

“When it gets to that point, boating activity can cause docks to become unsecured or cause other damage, including property or house damage,” he said.

The water levels within many county lakes, including those in Dowagiac, Sister Lakes, Cassopolis and Edwardsburg, were so high following the rainstorm this month that they approached the levels seen following the adverse weather in 2008, which resulted in property damage and flooding to several lakeside homes, Smith said.

However, no property owners have reported such damage as a result of high water levels following this latest storm, Smith said.

With levels returning to normal, boaters should be able to cruise at higher rates of speed as well be able to water ski or use jet skis without problems later this week, the emergency manager said.

“We hope everyone has a good weekend and are able to enjoy the lakes,” Smith said.