Ready for the Holiday

May 22, 2017

Share by Email

GRDA Police are finalizing plans to begin the Summer season at the lakes and rivers with the traditional beginning of Summer on the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Although the recent flooding events and recovery efforts have diverted our attention, we have implemented plans to ensure adequate staffing of personnel and equipment will be in operation for the holiday weekend. You can count on a dozen police patrol boats being in service on our lakes throughout the weekend, staffed by two dozen officers assisted by our Air Operations Unit for aerial support.

The GRDA Scenic Rivers Operation has recently completed the hiring of additional officers to cover the area for the season, with training of personnel being completed. There will be a highly visible presence of GRDA Police on land and in the river this year through the use of the two jet drive kayaks as well as our newest addition to our fleet of vessels, a jet powered boat. Additional boats and personnel will be on stand-by for deployment of additional assets, should the need arise.

Because of the recent deluge of rain in the lakes and rivers regions, we anticipate high waters at Grand and Hudson lakes and the Illinois River. Although the high waters will not impeded most people from the pleasure of our waters during the holiday, we remind users to use extra caution when on the water.

High waters bring submerged dangers. Logs, trees and other debris can be hidden just under the surface of the water, so watch your speed and remain vigilant when operating a boat. Have an extra set of eyes on the boat to act as an observer for the person driving the boat.
Shorelines are hidden, so watch for shallow areas. Just because an area is now covered in water, does not mean it is deep enough to navigate in a boat. Stay as close to the river channels, as possible.
Watch for underwater hazards, such as fixed objects and debris when you are operating close to shore.
High waters bring swift currents. When rafting or canoeing on the river, have an experienced rafter with you to help you navigate the river safely.
Stay hydrated and limit your consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Be courteous to other users of our recreation areas.
Know the laws and obey the laws. Failure to do so can result in stiff fines or a tragedy!
Whether floating or boating, always wear a Life Jacket. It can be the difference between life or death!

Summer Safety Lessons

GRDA Police continue their efforts to educate area school kids on how to stay safe while having fun on area lakes and rivers this Summer through our water safety outreach programs. Officers Eddy Mathews (left) and Eric Gwartney gave water safety presentations to nearly 200 elementary school students in Miami this week at the Ottowa County Conservation District Nature Conservation Day.

2017 Float Season Begins!

GRDA and the float operators on the Illinois River have been hard at work to ensure that everyone will be able to enjoy a full Summer float season, in spite of the damage created by recent flood waters. Repairs are underway or completed and we are looking forward to a fantastic time on the Illinois River this Summer. To ensure you have a positive experience while enjoying the serenity of the Scenic Rivers, we provide the following tips to help you have a safe and enjoyable time.

Trash bags are available to campers and floaters at no cost from commercial float operators, GRDA Police and at the GRDA Scenic Rivers Operations Headquarters Building. Always remove your trash to ensure the beauty of the river will be maintained for everyone. Other considerations to remember to ensure you have a safe float trip include:

Be sure to inform the commercial flotation device operation if you or anyone in your party are a first-time or novice floater(s) so they may pair you with an experienced paddler/floater or float you in a raft so there is a reduced risk for 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 and discharge flows are higher than normal or at flood stage;
If you capsize, stay with your flotation device on the upstream side. Resist the urge to grab a fixed object because you don't want to get pinned between the flotation device and a rock or tree;
When tired, take a break on a gravel bar to relax;
Take a shorter length float trip (especially in rafts and inner tubes) when river levels are at Summer-time lows and winds are out of the South greater than 10mph;
Do not dive into the river from bridges, bluffs, streambanks and trees;
Do not swing on rope swings and jump into the water, as there may be submerged logs and tree branches that could cause bodily harm;
Be sure to 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 an opportunity not to sunburn;
Be sure to remain hydrated and take snacks along for your float trip. Avoid beer and soda pop as they tend to dehydrate the body, and remember that alcohol impairs your judgment;
Be sure to wear river wading shoes to ensure no cuts to your feet;
Never take anything on your float trip that you don't want to lose. You should leave your car keys with the commercial float operator for safe keeping;
Respect the rights of fishermen and private property owners;
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 profanity;
Do not use glass and Styrofoam containers;
Do not litter;
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 in water with a temperature greater than 80ºF;
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 the water.

ATV Access Areas May be Closed

Because of ongoing flood gate operations at Pensacola and Kerr Dams to release high water levels, the designated areas for use by off-road vehicles will be closed periodically till floodgate operations end. This is subject to change, depending on additional precipitation, but as long as the floodgates are open at the dams, access to the off-road areas below the dams will be restricted in the interest of public safety.

River Rebuild Underway

The recent flooding on the Illinois River not only caused damage for the float operators, but the public access areas and launch sites were also devastated by the swift moving flood waters. Team GRDA has mobilized assets from several departments in the agency this week in an effort to reconstruct the gravel bars at the Pevine and Round Hollow Public Access Points. GRDA employees, working alongside several float operators, have deployed heavy equipment to the river in an effort to recover tons of river rock that were washed away from the gravel bars used as launched sites at the public access points. Nearly 200 dump truck loads of the river rock will need to be recovered and hauled several miles upstream back to the access points, where personnel will reconstruct the gravel bars and access points to the river. GRDA plans to work throughout the weekend in an effort to complete the work before the holiday weekend.