Lake Country faces no-wake ordinance ahead of holiday weekend
WAUKESHA COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- There's a slow-no wake ordinance on a number of Lake Country lakes this holiday weekend. Businesses in the affected areas are doing what they can to keep their doors open.
For over a week now, Upper and Lower Nemahbin Lakes have been above flood stage with water spilling into the parking lot of Panga Bar and Grill in Summit.
"Guests are getting creative with parking, parking on the road, bringing their boats and tying up where they can some of our docks are submerged now too," said Luke Rodewald, Bartender, Panga Bar & Grill.
Guests pulling up on paddle boards didn't seem to mind, parking right on the grass.
"It is nice for that, that's the only reason, it's not nice to launch in the parking lot which it looks like you can do," said Troy Hausser, Palmyra Resident.
But not everyone on four wheels liked the idea of parking in a foot of water.
"Well, I did just drive by coming this way and the parking lot is quite flooded. Seems unsafe to park in," said one customer.
For over a week, the village's slow-no wake ordinance has been in effect.
Workers tell me it's been years since this parking lot has been this full of water. They're hopeful that the No Wake Ordinance can help clear it out.
"I pulled in the parking lot, had to park, there was a foot water, so I had to take my shoes off and I'm walking in it," said Bailey Berlin, Lake Country Resident.
Panga's has had to make changes for the time being.
"The food storage that we had outside we've had to move inside which is really limited how much we can store inside and how much we can sell which has drastically impacted just the sales we've had over the summer," said Charlie Bordo, Cook, Panga Bar & Grill.
Ole's Tap is next door to Panga's, but their parking lot's clear. So, they're opening it up to help their neighbor.
"We offered that their employees were able to park in our back area back there so that they're not taking up spaces over there."
"I believe in karma and neighborly, getting along with your neighbors and sharing the wealth," said Cadence Zagrodnik, Co-Owner, Ole's Tap.
With the high lake levels, boaters have had trouble getting under the I-94 overpass. Even walking along Delafield Road's a challenge.
"Oh my gosh, trying to get through on these back roads I feel sorry for the people who live here," said Mary Connell, Lake Country Resident.
Village of Summit police had hoped to lift the slow no-wake ordinance before the 4th of July, but still can't due to continued high water levels.
"We'll survive (giggles) We're still here," said Rodewald.
Lac Labelle in Oconomowoc is also under a slow no-wake policy for now.