July 17 GRDA Weekly Report

Even though the July 4 holiday has come and gone, the Oklahoma summer still offers plenty of opportunities to hit the water for boating and the Grand River Dam Authority’s Grand Lake and Lake Hudson are two of the very best locations to do just that. However, as we near the midpoint of the busy boating season, it is a good time to revisit some important electrical safety tips associated with boating.

• Be aware of your surroundings and potential electrical hazards by checking the location of nearby power lines before boating. Always maintain a distance of at least 10 feet between your boat and nearby power lines.
• Have your boat’s electrical system inspected and upgraded by a certified marine electrician regularly to be sure they meet your local and state NEC, NFPA, and ABYC safety code and standards. 
• Have Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) installed on your boat. They should also be installed on all docks. Test them once a month.
• Use “UL- Marine Listed” portable GFCIs when using electricity near water. They will decrease the chances of shock or electrocution.
• Consider having Equipment Leakage Circuit Interrupters (ELCI) installed on boats to protect nearby swimmers from potential electricity leakage into water surrounding your boat.
• Only use shore or marine power cords, plugs, receptacles, and extension cords that have been tested by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Canadian Standards Association (CSA) or ETL SEMKO (ETL). They are specifically designed to keep you safe when using them near water.
•  Never use cords that are frayed or damaged or that have had the prongs removed or altered.
• If you question the safety of your boat’s electrical system, immediately turn off the power supply at the electrical panel and do not turn it back on until it has been checked by a qualified electrician.

After years of being in Horse Creek, the 2018 Aquapalooza will be moving to a new location on Grand Lake in Disney. Organizers announced that Grand Lake’s largest on-the-water concert and raft up is floating south this summer. 2018 Aquapalooza Grand Lake will be held between the spillways, just off the Cherokee State Park boat ramp, in Disney. From land, the location is on Highway 28, east of the Pensacola Dam.

As a result of the annual Aquapalooza event that will be held at Disney State Park, the public boat ramp at the location will be closed to public access on July 21. The ramp will be closed to all boat traffic from 12 AM till 6 PM that date, but those that need to launch a boat during the closure may use the public boat ramp located at the Cherokee State Park located on the east side of the Pensacola Dam. The event is scheduled to be held from 1 to 5 PM on July 21, so public access to the ramp should be available shortly after the conclusion of the event.

GRDA Shoreline Maintenance Crews have been in Duck Creek the past week making improvements to the navigation buoys in the area. This included the replacement and relocation of a number of the Keep Right buoys separating the channel.

• Inform the commercial flotation device operation if you or anyone in your party are a first-time or novice floater(s) so that they may pair you with an experienced paddler/floater or float you in a raft so there is a reduced risk of capsizing.
• Wear a personal flotation device at all times.
• Never swim or boat alone. Stay within sight of companions.
• Do not float when river levels are at flood stage.
• If you capsize, stay with your flotation device on the upstream side. Resist the urge to grab a fixed object & don't get pinned between the flotation device and a rock or tree.
• When tired, take a break on a gravel bar to relax.
• Do not dive into the river from bridges, bluffs, stream banks and trees.
• Never swing on rope swings and jump into the water as there may be submerged logs and tree branches that could injure you.
• Bring sunglasses, extra cover up clothing, hat and suntan lotion. The sun reflecting off the water will give a person without sunglasses a headache and the extra clothing gives you added protection to avoid sunburn.
• Take water, tea, Gatorade, other thirst-quenching drinks and peanut butter crackers or similar snacks. Avoid beer and soft drinks since they tend to dehydrate the body, and avoid alcohol use, since that can impair judgment.
• Wear river wading shoes to avoid cuts to your feet.
• Never take anything on your float trip that you don't want to lose. Leave your car keys with the commercial float operator for safe keeping;
• Camp only in designated areas. Avoid being trapped by rising water against bluffs or on gravel bars.
• Do not tie flotation devices together as it against the law and violators are subject to fine.
• Do not use glass and Styrofoam containers.
• Don't litter. Use provided trash bags and receptacles.
• Shower with soap and water after swimming.
• Wash cuts and scrapes with clean water and soap after swimming.
• Wear ear plugs.
• Wear swim goggles.
• Take children to the restroom frequently.
• Use swim diapers on infants.
• Stay away from any area that has floating debris, oil sheens or dead fish.
• Do not swim after a heavy rain.
• Do not swim if you have cuts or scrapes.
• Do not swim near storm drains.
• Do not swim in stagnant (unmoving) water.
• Do not swim in water with a green surface scum.
• Do not ingest water. 

is defined as any area posted with buoys or within one hundred fifty (150) feet of any boat ramp, dock, pier, or anchored or moored vessel. Vessels are required to operate at Normal Idle Speed in a No Wake Zone, which means the vessel is in the forward gear with no additional throttle applied. Any speed greater than Normal Idle would be considered a violation.

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