RIVER BOATERS CAUTIONED TO AVOID LOWHEAD DAMS
COLUMBUS, OH Recreational boating on Ohio’s inland rivers and streams is a fun and healthy activity, but navigation hazards, especially lowhead dams, must always be avoided to ensure a safe boating experience.
Lowhead dams are deceptively dangerous and merit the nickname given to them ‘drowning machines,’” said Ken Alvey, chief of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Watercraft.
Characteristics of these navigational hazards are the same, regardless of the dam’s height, which can drop a boat as little as 6 inches or as much as 25 feet. Areas immediately below these dams have intense churning power that pulls boaters under and makes escape or rescue very difficult. Of the 19 persons who have died in boating accidents on the state’s rivers and streams since 2001, seven died as a result of an encounter with a lowhead dam.
Among the dangers associated with lowhead dams are the following:
- Dams are difficult to spot from upstream (especially during periods of high water) and often are not marked by signs or buoys.
- Lowhead dam hydraulics are always unpredictable.
- Dams can deceive even the most experienced boaters.
- The concrete walls at the side of the face of a lowhead dam block the exit route for person trying to escape.
To ensure safety when paddling or motoring on any Ohio stream, scout the river before launching any watercraft and know the exact location of all hazards such as lowhead dams, strainers and other obstructions to safe navigation.
Other boating safety pointers include:
- Boat with experienced, responsible boaters and learn from them.
- Properly wear a life jacket at all times while boating.
- Portage around all dams and other navigational hazards.
- When portaging around a dam, take the boat out of the water well before the dam is reached and re-enter the water a safe distance downstream of the dam.
Additional boating safety tips and information on boating education and other programs offered through the ODNR Division of Watercraft are available on the ODNR web page at ohiodnr.com .