In a development that perhaps only boaters can appreciate, a bay on Kabetogama Lake at Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota has been closed due to a "large and potentially hazardous floating cattail mat."

Park officials said the mat in Rudder Bay covers roughly six acres. It detached from the lake's Irwin Bay. Park staff moved and secured the cattail mat within the parameter of Rudder Bay last week and will continue to contain the mat using floating silt barriers, a park release said. The silt barriers have yellow floats and span the entrance to Rudder Bay, preventing any use of the bay.

Silt barriers are used to inhibit the mat from leaving the bay and potentially causing navigation hazards and property damage. The barriers will remain in place until the mat can be removed.

Voyageurs staff say visitors need to use care while boating as pieces of floating bog may occasionally detach. Any large pieces within park boundaries can be reported to the park. If floating bogs are causing issues outside of the park boundaries, they should be reported to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.