rth of July action was off to a slow start this weekend, but lake crowds picked up Saturday as skies cleared.

Officials at both Clinton and Perry lakes expected 30,000 to 40,000 campers, boaters and anglers throughout the weekend, but Clinton Lake campgrounds didn’t come near that number Saturday.

“This is one of the slowest weekends I’ve ever had in the three years I’ve been camp post,” said Carolyn Drake, who served post Saturday at Campground 1.

Of the campground’s 184 sites, about 75 had been filled by Saturday afternoon.

“Usually this place is packed out and we’re turning people away,” she said.

The other campground, which has 284 sites, still hadn’t filled 60 of them, said camp post Eleanor Wells.

But those who braved the downpour Friday still haven’t left, said Margie Hackett, who volunteers at the park and lives there in a camper.

It rained a little Friday night, but the campers stuck through that, too.

“We thought about (leaving), but it was like, we’re already in the tent, so why get up?” said Linda Sawyer, of Olathe.

Signs at the campgrounds sternly prohibited the use of fireworks. In town, Lawrence Police officers who investigated the dozens of fireworks complaint calls did little more than shake a finger at the perpetrators.

No ticket were issued for violations of the citywide ordinance against the use of fireworks, said Sgt. Paul Fellers of the Lawrence Police Department.

“If we locate fireworks, we seize those and go on to the next call,” he said.

Lakes were swollen Saturday, even as the sun dried many of the muddy areas near campgrounds.

Lone Star Lake, south of Clinton Lake, was spilling water over the road that crosses the dam. Several intrepid drivers braved the stream of water, which appeared less than 6 inches deep and several feet wide.

Perry Lake received 3.8 inches of rain Friday, which pushed the water level to 4.3 feet above normal. The dam was releasing 3,000 cubic feet per second.

Officials warned of hazards that come when lake levels rise.

“There probably are some floating debris and driftwood that are floating on the surface right now,” said Bunnie Watkins, Perry Lake ranger.