The 4th of July weekend is here, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is increasing its efforts to keep Minnestoa's waterways safe. According to a news release from the Minnesota DNR, the department is increasing its efforts to keep Minnesota's waterways safe from boaters under the influence of drugs and alcohol. There will be hundreds of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conservation officers and other public safety personnel working as extra patrols July 2-4. With temperatures forecasted to be in the upper 80s or low 90s as the weekend rolls around the water will be an appealing place to be over the long 4th of July weekend, and officials are warning boaters to choose something other than alcohol when they get thirsty.