GRDA Cops Go Undercover on the River

June 8, 2017

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Yes, the rumors are true. In an effort to reduce unlawful activity at the Illinois River, GRDA Scenic Rivers Officers have implemented new tactics to catch criminal violators on the river. GRDA Officers will regularly be assigned to "Undercover", or plain clothes assignments that allow them to blend in to the environment, in an effort to increase the apprehension of those that choose to not follow the laws and regulations for the area.

To accomplish this, officers will regularly be found in casual and even swimming attire afloat in rafts, kayaks and canoes, or lounging on a gravel bar or launch area to watch for unlawful activity. When officers observe a violation, a uniformed officer will be notified to make contact with the individuals in order that enforcement action can be taken. The plain clothes operations allow officers to easily observe alcohol, drug and other offenses in order that we can reduce the number of problems occurring on the Illinois River.

This is just one of many tactics that are being deployed by the officers at the Scenic Rivers Operation in an effort to ensure a safe, family environment.

Officers Continue Water Rescue Training

A dozen GRDA Police officers attended additional training to hone their skills in water rescues last week in Langley at the Pensacola Dam. In an effort to ensure our officers can respond to any life-endangering water event, all full time GRDA Police Officers are trained in Swift Water Rescue. The officers that attended the training last week attended the Swift Water Rescue 2 instruction in an effort to increase their knowledge and skills in these life-saving measures.

GRDA Police Featured at Camp Bandage

This Saturday marks the date for the first annual South Grand Lake Camp Bandage! GRDA is a proud sponsor for this come & go event that will be a terrific venue for all families in the area, as a number of emergency response and public service agencies from the region will be on hand to provide safety information and demonstrations that will be educational and fun for children and adults. There is no charge to attend the event that will be held at the Grand Lake RV Park. GRDA Police will be there with Patrol & Rescue boats, a helicopter and much more. Visit campbandage.org for more information. Come see us!

Keeping It Grand...

It rests in four states, straddles two Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regions and impacts the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. It is the Grand River Watershed; a collection of rivers, streams, creeks and water runoff that stretches across a roughly 10,300 square-mile area and eventually flows into the Grand River in Oklahoma’s northeast corner.

Most of the watershed lies in the state of Kansas, with the water eventually making its way to Oklahoma by way of the Neosho River. In Missouri, another large portion of the watershed drains into our state, mostly through the Spring River. The confluence of these rivers, just west of Wyandotte, is the beginning of the Grand River. Impounded by three separate dams, this river then gives us Grand, Lake Hudson and Fort Gibson Lake. Together, these lakes serve as a valuable water supply for thousands of Oklahomans, provide the “fuel” for hydroelectric generation and support economic development by boosting multiple industries, including manufacturing, tourism and recreation.

These are key reasons why the Grand River Dam Authority works hard to be a good steward of the watershed and the natural resources under its control. On a daily basis, the GRDA Ecosystems Management Department and Lake Operations Team stay focused on these waters, to protect, preserve and manage them for all users, even those with fins or feathers.

As you head out to the lakes this summer, perhaps you will see our team. They will be patrolling the lakes, taking water samples and providing support for water-related programs like shoreline cleanups or habitat enhancement efforts. All of these efforts, completed at no cost to Oklahoma taxpayers, are helping to keep the Grand River Watershed a grand place to visit.