Minnesota lakes and rivers are expected to be very busy this weekend with the July 4th holiday and the heat of summer pushing people towards the water.
There will also be additional law enforcement out to make sure everyone is following the rules.
The DNR is announcing its annual "Operation Dry Water" campaign running Friday the 4th through Monday. It highlights the dangers of boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs and calls attention to the heavy penalties a BWI can bring.
Lieutenant Eric Sullivan is with the DNR's Marine Unit.
"Because here's the bottom line drunk boating is drunk driving. If you're caught, you can lose your privilege to operate a boat, a car, in recreational vehicles," Sullivan explains.
He says the goal is to make the water safer for everyone by removing anyone operating under the influence.
"If you're under the influence and operating a boat or vehicle, we will find you," warns Sullivan. "There are no warnings and no second chances. You will be arrested, you will go to jail, and you will face serious consequences."
Sullivan says anyone caught boating while under the influence can lose their privileges to operate all vehicles - not just a boat.
The DNR is also stressing the importance of wearing a life jacket, saying oftentimes boating accidents turn into fatalities because the people who fell overboard weren’t wearing them.
Minnesota state laws on the water are the same as they are on the road. The DNR notes that alcohol is involved in about 30% of fatal boat accidents in Minnesota and that drunk boating is drunk driving.