High water levels and fast flows on the Allegheny River could surprise pleasure-seekers on the river this holiday weekend, according to the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh.

“There’s a lot of water out there right now,” said Lee Hendricks, a hydrometeorologist at the weather service’s Pittsburgh office.

The weather service has issued a boaters advisory for the lower Allegheny that is effective through Sunday morning.

From Parker to Freeport, Hendricks said, river levels were elevated and water was flowing faster than normal for this time of year. Water levels at Parker were at 8.4 feet Wednesday, Hendricks said. That area of the river is usually 6 feet to 6 1/2 feet deep. Flood stage in that area of the river begins at 20 feet.

Lower on the Allegheny, at Freeport, river levels were at 15.4 feet Wednesday, up from a normal of about 14 feet, Hendricks said. Flood stage in that area of the river begins at 23 feet.

Hendricks said boaters and swimmers should be aware of fast-moving water.

That would impact canoers and kayakers, Hendricks said, and could present a hazard for swimmers and floaters unaware of the river conditions. Hendricks said river conditions usually take five to seven days to “measure out” after heavy rainfall.

Water temperatures are expected to vary between 63 and 66 degrees over the July 4th weekend.