GONZALES – With heavy rain expected this weekend, two parishes are closing recreational boating traffic until further notice.

Ascension Parish President Tommy Martinez said Friday that Ascension and Livingston Parishes will remain closed to recreational boating until further notice.

The two parishes closed the waterways to recreational boating on Oct. 26 after heavy rainfall passed through the area last weekend.

Homeland Security officials in both Livingston and Ascension Parishes said the decision was made after reviewing the National Weather Service forecast for the next 72 hours.

“The Amite River and the Diversion Canal Waterways continue to have high water and debris so they will remain closed,” said Rick Webre, Director of the Ascension Parish Office of Homeland Security.