GRDA Update

May 21, 2019

Grand River Dam Authority Police Department

EMERGENCY 911 GRDA Police 918-256-0911

What You Need to Ensure a Summer of Safe Boating

As we near the Memorial Day holiday and the beginning of the summer boating season, boaters have begun preparing their vessels for the season. While the boat needs to be looked at and readied for a summer of fun, so does your safety. Doing these four things now will help ensure a summer of safe boating.

1. Get a free Vessel Safety Check: Where else can you ask a professional to go over your boat to ensure it’s safe and has all the required safety equipment? And if the boat is not up to snuff, you won’t be penalized in any way and will instead get some welcome, friendly advice on how to improve. That’s what a Vessel Safety Check does, so schedule a Vessel Safety Check now. Offered by the GRDA Police and the U.S. Power Squadrons, Vessel Safety Checks are completely free, and you may be surprised by what they find.

2. Check your boat to make sure it is sea worthy: The best advice is to leave that to the professionals at your local marina to make sure it is ready to go for the summer. There is nothing worse than taking your family and friends out on the boat for your first summer adventure only to have a mechanical breakdown. Make sure the motor is ready and fueled, the battery is charged, the navigation lights are operating, the marine radio works and all safety equipment such as the fire extinguisher is ready to use.

3. Inspect and prep your life jackets: Inflatable life jackets need to be opened up every season to ensure they are in good shape . Regular (non-inflatable) life jackets need to be brought out of hiding, inspected , and placed in locations aboard the boat that make it very easy for passengers to access. Life jackets are no good (and not legal) if they are buried at the bottom of a storage compartment and not “readily accessible.”

4. Take a free boating safety course: The numbers don’t lie. The U.S. Coast Guard reports that 81 percent of boating fatalities occurred on boats where the operator did not receive boating safety instruction. Recognize the upshot of these statistics and get instruction now from the GRDA Police, OHP Maine Division or from Americas Boating Club - Grand Lake. You can also take an on-line course at boat-ed.com and the BoatUS Foundation has a free state boating safety course that easily fits into busy schedules, allowing course takers to stop at any time and pick up again later where they left off.

Click Here for More Details on Summer Boating Safety Tips

Tenure Honored

GRDA recently honored Officer Jason Littlefield for twenty years of service to the agency. GRDA CEO Dan Sullivan (left) and Chief of Police Brian Edwards (right) presented Jason with a service pin for his long-standing dedication to the agency. Officer Littlefield has been with the agency since 1999 and is currently assigned as the Recreation Programs Coordinator. He is also the agency Training Coordinator, Quartermaster, Evidence Manager, an instructor and he coordinates all fishing tournaments on agency lakes.

Thank you for your service Jason!

Dealing with

Lake Debris

The heavy rains and swollen rivers we have seen this year have efficiently cleaned the shores upstream, resulting in a massive amount of debris in the waters of our lakes. The debris is not only unsightly in the water and on the shorelines, but it can also create hazards for boaters and dock owners around the lakes. With the anticipated increase in boat traffic expected this weekend, we offer a reminder to those that will enjoy our lakes to use appropriate caution because of the hazards presented by debris on the water.

Boaters are especially vulnerable to the literal impacts when they encounter debris that can often be hidden just under the surface of the water. The best advice for boaters is to use appropriate caution, knowing that there will be an influx of debris on our lakes at this time. Always check the area around your dock or boat ramp for debris before you launch. Designate another person on your boat to help you maintain a proper lookout so you have that second set of eyes to spot dangers on the water. Maintain a safe speed, because you can encounter debris at any time, any place and be prepared to react accordingly. High water levels also increase the erosion impacts to the shoreline of your boat wake. Remember to always be aware of your boat wake and the impact on others.

Should you see any debris on the surface, much of the danger could be hidden under the water like an iceberg, so give yourself a wide berth or you could lose a lower unit on your motor. What may look like a simple branch floating downstream may be the top of a large tree or branch below. Debris will often flow through the lake in fields of debris, so remember that if you see one, there may be more. Should you encounter a debris field, try to go around it. If you are forced to go through it, slow your speed, trim your motor up, and try to choose the path of least resistance.

When boating near the shore or in coves, go slow to avoid underwater obstacles such as signposts, picnic tables, trees, stumps and other obstructions that are normally on dry ground. Objects may be submerged near the shoreline and hidden from view, so maintain a safe distance away from the shore. In addition to debris, flood level water increases the power of current and water flow, so be observant, maintain safe speeds and remember that the best protection for you and your passengers is to use your kill switch and wear life jackets.

The areas of heavy debris are certainly not where you want to use your water toys such as tubes and wake boards, so play in an area of the lake such as a creek or arm that is relatively protected from the debris, that is normally concentrated in the main channels. You should also minimize nighttime boating because of the lack of visibility.

The woody debris we have on our lakes presents an entirely different set of problems for those that live on our shorelines. Not only is it unsightly, but it will often block or even damage docks on the shore. GRDA does not have the ability to address the massive influx of woody debris, except in extreme circumstances. If woody debris is determined to be a navigation hazard, then personnel will be assigned to try to remove it.

Debris that has washed on shore becomes a problem that must be dealt with by the owner of the property. It is a violation of GRDA regulations for you to dispose of woody debris that has washed up on the shoreline by pushing it back into the water, where it could become a navigation hazard. If your dock becomes damaged or entrapped with debris, we recommend that you contact a permitted dock installer to help you, if you are not able to clear the debris yourself. The best method of disposing of woody debris on the shorelines is to cut it up into manageable pieces and burn it. Regulations restrict the use of petroleum products when burning on the shore, but you can explore the use of other methods of burning, such as a fireplace starter log.

ATS Sweeps

Elk River, Zone 9

An organized shoreline cleanup was conducted in Zone 9 (Elk River) last week that resulted in 2.09 tons of Styrofoam and trash being collected. Among the items found were white dock Styrofoam, a refrigerator and an ice machine.

GRDA wishes to thank the following businesses who participated:

Jackson’s Motor Works

Elk River Landing Marina

GRDA Shoreline Crew

Do You Need Current Lake Information?

The following website link is to the GRDA Storm Ops page. The web page will give you current data to include lake levels, lake parameters, storage details, flow conditions and much more.

stormops.grda.tech/riveroperations

Grand Lake Shoreline Cleanup Date Scheduled

Lend a hand to Lady Grand and join in the efforts to clean our shoreline to make it cleaner and safer for all users of the lake, including fish and birds. This is a joint effort between the Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA) and the America’s Boating Club (ABC) a/k/a Grand Lake Power Squadron.

The breakdown of dock foam into pellets is hazardous to birds. Many types of birds have been found to feed on these pellets, most likely because they mistake them for fish eggs or other types of food. Ingestion of debris can lead to starvation or malnutrition if the ingested items block the intestinal tract, preventing digestion, or accumulate in the digestive tract, making the animal feel “full” and lessening its desire to feed. Marine mammals, turtles, birds, fish, and crustaceans all have been affected by entanglement in or ingestion of floatable debris.

Entanglement in debris is also a problem. An animal might try to use a piece of floatable debris for shelter, as a plaything, or as a source of food (if other plants and animals are already trapped in the debris or if the debris resembles prey that is part of the animal’s normal diet). It can also cause strangulation or suffocation.

Mark your calendar for the annual shoreline clean-up for June 15 from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. You do not want to miss an opportunity to dispose of dock Styrofoam or other debris excluding tree limbs, tires, batteries, paint and household garbage at no charge. No commercial dumping of dock foam will be allowed. Dumpsters for lake debris will be available at Grove Springs Park in Grove and Bernice State Park.

This annual event was started by the ABC in 2005 in partnership with the GRDA. Over the years, large amounts of debris have been removed, especially loose pieces of dock foam. With over 1,300 miles of shoreline, Lady Grand needs all of us to pitch in and help. For more information contact John Walter, Environmental Officer, ABC (918) 314-3773 or Ed Ferguson, Community Relations Officer, GRDA at (918) 256-0890.

Did You Know?

The U.S. Coast Guard estimates that life jackets could have saved the lives of over 80 percent of boating fatality victims. Accidents can, and do happen with terrifying speed on the water. There's rarely time to reach stowed life jackets. Eighty percent of boating deaths occur due to drowning, and 83% of drowning victims were NOT wearing a life jacket.

New Date:

Rush for Brush Rescheduled for Saturday, June 1.

Due to the inclement weather on Saturday, May 18, GRDA postponed its Rush for Brush event, moving it to Saturday, June 1.

We apologize for the inconvenience, but the safety of everyone involved is the priority.

The rescheduled event will still be held in the same location at the lower parking lot,

adjacent to the GRDA Ecosystems and Education Center and Pensacola Dam and will begin at 9AM.

For more information, contact Jacklyn Jaggars at ext. 40723 or jjaggars@grda.com .

GRDA Buoy Guide

"Updates" on the Web

Did you not receive our latest GRDA Update? Do you have a friend that wants to see our Updates? You can now go to our website at GRDA.com to view the latest edition of GRDA Police Updates. Go to the Lakes/River tab, open the GRDA Police tab and click on the GRDA Police Update for the latest version of our email release.

Visit our website for GRDA Police Updates

Boating Tips From

Americas Boating Club

Grand Lake

When you are at the controls of your boat, you are responsible for the safety of your crew and passengers. Don’t make sudden changes in direction or speed that can cause them to lose their balance and fall. If you have to make a sudden change, give a timely warning. Always be watchful for boat wakes and waves that can unseat your passengers causing possible injuries. Never allow anyone to ride in the bow of your boat with legs dangling over the gunwale or sitting straddling the bow. They can easily become unseated by an unexpected wake or wave and thrown overboard and run over by the boat. When encountering a boat wake or wave, remember to slow down, turn into it just before you reach it at a forty-five-degree angle, then return to your original course after passing through the wave.

Interested in becoming more confident in your boating skills? Boat Smart and take a course online or in the classroom from America’s Boating Club. For more information visit americasboatingclub.org or grandlakeusps.com, on Facebook: glsps.

NAV TIME

A Summary of Boating Laws, Navigation Regulations & Tips

That All Boat Operators Should Know

Unlawful Operation

“Idle Speed” or “Slow, No Wake Speed”

When you see these buoys or signs, you must reduce speed to slowest possible speed necessary to maintain steerage. Your vessel should not create a wake at this speed.

Hazardous Condition

It is illegal to operate a vessel in a condition that causes a hazard to those on board. For any of the following problems, peace officers may instruct the operator to return to mooring and remain there until the problem is fixed.

· There are insufficient personal flotation devices, fire extinguishers, backfire flame arrestors, or navigation lights.

· The vessel is overloaded or overpowered.

· Any other unsafe condition exists.

Toes in the Grand

Summer Kick-Off Festival

The 2019 Toes in the Grand Summer Kickoff Festiva l is May 31st - June 1st at Grove's Wolf Creek Park. Join us for Mid America's largest FREE Trop Rock music festival plus hydroplane boat racing, Major League Fishing, arts and crafts, fireworks, and more!

7th Annual Thunder On Wolf Creek

The “Greatest show on the water.”

Three Days of Racing Excitement

May 31 – June 1-2, 2019

GRDA Provides Summer Programs

The workshop – Riverology 101 – brings together a diverse group of water quality, water management, and conservation and education professionals for three full days of information sharing and hands-on learning in mid-June. And much of that time will be spent along the river bank.

This year’s event will be held June 12-14 but registration ends May 24. For more information or questions, contact GRDA’s Jacklyn Jaggars at jjaggars@grda.com or 918-256-0723... https://www.grda.com/grda-and-riverology-101/

Pensacola Dam

Opens for Public Tours

The Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of the tour season for the Pensacola Dam. Come visit us at GRDA’s Ecosystems & Education Center for a free tour of the Historic Pensacola Dam, the only hydroelectric facility in the state open to public tours. We are located at 420 Hwy 28, next to the Pensacola Dam in Langley, Ok. The tours are every hour on the hour starting at 9:00 AM with the last tour going out at 4:00 PM, every day, including holidays.

Construction of the dam began in 1938 with completion in 1940. The dam’s 51 arches and 21 spillways total length is 5,145 feet and span about one mile, which makes the Pensacola Dam one of the longest multiple arch dams in the world.