June 26 GRDA Weekly Update
Fireworks Frenzy
One of the best advantages of being at the lakes this time of year is the number of Independence Day celebrations that are available for all to see. The fact that the Fourth of July falls mid-week this year means there are professional fireworks displays nearly every day of the week, so you should be able to enjoy several of the water-side shows.
GRDA is a proud sponsor of some of these events, by providing financial support to help fund these public celebrations to include:
Grand Lake Fireworks in Disney, July 3
Duck Creek Fireworks, July 4
Monkey Island Fireworks, July 7
Salina Fireworks on Hudson, July 7
GRDA will also be committing personnel and equipment to all of the lakeside public fireworks events during the holiday period to ensure a safe, and enjoyable time for everyone. Rest assured that GRDA Police will be out in force in the coming weeks to provide assistance and rigorous enforcement.
Before you board the family into the boat to attend the fireworks shows, remember to check the navigation lights on your vessel to ensure everything is working properly and have a working flashlight with you. Check all of your safety gear to make sure all is ready, and ensure that everyone on board has a properly fitted life jacket before you launch. There will be a large amount of boaters out on the water at night during the holidays, so abide by the 25 mph nighttime speed limit, maintain a proper lookout and watch for other vessels.
GRDA has no regulations that prohibit the discharge of fireworks on the shores of the lakes, but remember to follow the rules of doing so safely:
- Obey all local laws regarding the use of fireworks.
- Know your fireworks; read the cautionary labels and performance descriptions before igniting.
- A responsible adult SHOULD supervise all firework activities. Never give fireworks to children.
- Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Save your alcohol for after the show.
- Wear safety glasses when shooting fireworks.
- Light one firework at a time and then quickly move away.
- Use fireworks OUTDOORS in a clear area; away from buildings and vehicles.
- Never relight a “dud” firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
- Always have a bucket of water and charged water hose nearby.
- Never carry fireworks in your POCKET or shoot them into METAL or GLASS containers.
- Do not experiment with homemade fireworks.
- Dispose of spent fireworks by wetting them down and place in a metal trash can away from any building or combustible materials until the next day.
- Report illegal explosives, like M-80s and quarter sticks, to the fire or police department.
And let’s not forget the safety of our pets!
- Don’t bring your pets to a fireworks display, even a small one.
- If fireworks are being used near your home, put your pet in a safe, interior room to avoid exposure to the sound.
- Make sure your pet has an identification tag, in case it runs off during a fireworks display.
- Never shoot fireworks of any kind (consumer fireworks, sparklers, fountains, etc.) near pets.
Be considerate of your neighbors when discharging fireworks, NEVER shoot fireworks towards other people, structures or boats, and clean up the debris and dispose of it properly.
PWC & Marina Thefts
GRDA Police are investigating the thefts of Personal Water Crafts and other property in the area from Sailboat Bridge to the Elk River on Grand Lake.
Some property has been recovered, and the thefts appear to have been done after 9 PM. Be sure you properly secure your PWC to the dock, remove valuables and the keys to the vessel.
Officers are also investigating the theft of property from a marina and boats on the Elk River near the Cowskin Bridge. The thefts include the loss of electronics from boats and are occurring at night. Access to the marinas is likely from the water by boat.
Police are also investigating theft of property at a marina on the south end of Grand Lake near the Pensacola Dam. The suspect pretends to be fishing from the dock at the marina at night, but will take items of value from the dock and boats. Keep a watchful eye and the lights on at the marinas, remove your valuables and call police at 918-256-0911 to report suspicious activity, including PWC's or boats without navigation lights that you see on the water at night.
On The Road or The Water, Your Headed Nowhere Fast While Impaired
Towering Above Pensacola
GRDA recently completed the installation of a new communications tower on the west side of Pensacola Dam. The tower stands over 300 feet tall and will improve microwave and radio communications for the agency. Workers could be seen high up on the tower completing construction last week.
Keeping the River and Parks Clean
Efforts are continuing this summer in regards to the new recycling pilot program along the Scenic River and continued maintenance of the picnic areas. In fact, the Scenic River Grounds Crew hauled off a record amount of trash- 3,900 lbs over the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
Water Safety Tips
Is Your Boat Registration Current?
GRDA Controlled Hunts 2018
The Grand River Dam Authority is announcing that it will once again hold controlled hunts, for the upcoming deer and waterfowl seasons, on its Ottawa County properties along the Neosho River. Those interested in applying for these special draw hunts, can register online at www.grda.com/grda-hunting-drawing. The registration period begins June 1 and runs through July 31.
Prospective hunters can apply as individuals or with a group of up to four individuals. This year’s schedule will include a “youth-only” hunt during the youth deer gun season. While the hunts are open to the public, GRDA also asks that residents of its municipal customer, public power communities upload a copy of a utility bill as proof of residence for consideration for special opening day hunts. The controlled hunts for deer and waterfowl will begin this fall.
It's Race Time on Grand Lake!
Thunder Roars Into Wolf Creek
The Grand River Dam Authority Police Department will be closing portions of the Wolf Creek arm of Grand Lake, as well as the Wolf Creek boat ramp during the 6th Annual Thunder on Wolf Creek racing event held by the Oklahoma Boat Racing Association that will occur June 29, 30 and July 1in Grove. However, during this time home owners will be allowed access to their private docks with proof of residency.
All vessel operators should watch for special event navigational buoys and officers that will be present in the area. Spectators will be able to watch the race from the water, but will be restricted from entering the race area at the special event buoy line in the Wolf Creek channel.
According to OBRA, the national race will feature dozens of boats in 24 heats running an oval course where spectators will be able to watch boats reaching speeds up to 90 miles per hour. The event is slated to include 30 racing teams and is expected to draw around 3,000 spectators. For more information, visit www.thunderonwolfcreek.com.
It's Race Time on Grand Lake!
Thunder Roars Into Wolf Creek
The Grand River Dam Authority Police Department will be closing portions of the Wolf Creek arm of Grand Lake, as well as the Wolf Creek boat ramp during the 6th Annual Thunder on Wolf Creek racing event held by the Oklahoma Boat Racing Association that will occur June 29, 30 and July 1in Grove. However, during this time home owners will be allowed access to their private docks with proof of residency.
All vessel operators should watch for special event navigational buoys and officers that will be present in the area. Spectators will be able to watch the race from the water, but will be restricted from entering the race area at the special event buoy line in the Wolf Creek channel.
According to OBRA, the national race will feature dozens of boats in 24 heats running an oval course where spectators will be able to watch boats reaching speeds up to 90 miles per hour. The event is slated to include 30 racing teams and is expected to draw around 3,000 spectators. For more information, visit www.thunderonwolfcreek.com.
Wolf Creek Nationals
Did You Know?
True or False: The "Move Over Law" applies to emergency vessels on the lake.
Answer: True - GRDA Regulations require that "Vessels shall stop when directed, or operate at idle speed within five hundred (500) feet from emergency vessels while their emergency lights are activated."
Lake Rules
Update 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.
Boating Tips From the GLSPS
Rafting up on the lake is fun, but setting the anchor to hold properly can be a challenge for the boater. To help your anchor hold properly, it is important to have the correct scope. The “rode” or anchor line should be a minimum of 5:1 for calm conditions to 10:1 for severe conditions. A scope of 7:1 is suitable for most situations. To figure the length on Grand Lake (no tides), determine the depth of the water and the distance of your bow to the water. For example: 10’ of water depth with the bow 3’ above the water means 10+3=13x7 (scope) =91 feet of rode. A short length of chain from the anchor to the rode or anchor line will help the horizontal pull of the anchor on the bottom.
After setting the anchor, pick out some reference points on land to check from time to time so you can tell if your anchor is dragging. If so, it may be necessary to reset the anchor.
Interested in becoming more confident in your boating skills? Boat Smart from the start and take a course from America’s Boating Club, the United States Power Squadrons. For local information visit our website at: usps.org/grandlake or on Face Book at GLSPS.
NAV TIME
A Summary of Boating Laws, Navigation Regulations & Tips
That All Boat Operators Should Know
Encountering Other Vessels
Even though no vessel has the “right-of-way” over another vessel, there are some rules that every operator should follow when encountering other vessels. It is the responsibility of both operators to take the action needed to avoid a collision.
To prevent collisions, every operator should follow the three basic rules of navigation.
- Practice good seamanship.
- Keep a sharp lookout.
- Maintain a safe speed and distance.
Encountering Vessels With Limited Maneuverability
When operating a power-driven vessel, you must give way to:
- Any vessel not under command, such as an anchored or disabled vessel
- Any vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver, such as a vessel towing another or laying cable, or one constrained by its draft, such as a large ship in a channel
- A vessel engaged in commercial fishing
- A sailboat under sail unless it is overtaking
When operating a vessel under sail, you must give way to:
- Any vessel not under command
- Any vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver
- A vessel engaged in commercial fishing
By the Book
The Administrative Regulations of GRDA describe the organizations, operations, and procedures for the Grand River Dam Authority with respect to its administration, rulemaking, and other activities and are intended to supplement and interpret pertinent provisions of state statutes.
The following information are excerpts of the GRDA Administrative Regulations Title 300 Chapter 35 that are provided in an effort to educate the public about what regulations are enforced on GRDA waterways and properties. Many of these regulations have changed effective September 11, 2017. All GRDA regulations are available for review at GRDA.com.
COMMERCIAL USE OF THE LAKES AND LANDS OF GRDA
300:35-15-4. Dredging contractor’s permit
(a) Any person, firm or corporation operating for pecuniary gain or profit or any business that, directly or indirectly, is engaged in the performance of dredging activities or excavation operations upon the lands or waters of GRDA shall obtain an annual permit.
(b) A dredging contractor shall not perform any activities upon the lands or waters of GRDA until a Dredging Contractor’s permit has been issued. Any such activity shall be performed and completed in accordance with GRDA requirements and in strict compliance with the application and terms and conditions of the permit.