Grand River Dam Authority Police Department |
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EMERGENCY 911 GRDA Police 918-256-0911
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After a year of cancelled events, GRDA Police are excited to get back in our local communities to spread the message about water safety and promote the GRDA lakes and the Illinois River.
Officers have been busy attending special events in the area in recent weeks.
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Camp Bandage Broken Arrow |
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United Keetoowah Band Safety Fair |
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GRDA police joined the City of Vinita, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, GRDA Ecological Division, and the Craig County Sheriff Department with the Badges and Bobbers event at Vinita Lake on Saturday. Hundreds of children enjoyed the free day of fishing with gear provided and assisted by local law enforcement officers.
GRDA Officer Jason Weilert (below photos) helped a young participant learn the finer points of fishing during the Badges and Bobbers event, and the young lady proudly took first place for the largest fish caught.
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GRDA Limnologist Bill Mausbach and Biologist Kate Wollman (below left) helped participating kids identify various species of bugs and small fish they found in the lake using a net. The kids learned how GRDA Ecological personnel can monitor the health of our lakes and rivers by studying the smallest wildlife in the lakes. GRDA Officer Eddy Mathews (below right) helps ODWC Officer Moore ready a fishing pole for one of the young participants. |
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The "Fun Busters" will be out in Full Force over the Holiday Weekend. |
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Have a Safe
Memorial Day Holiday!
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Boaters Encouraged to
“Mind Your Wake”
Officials from GRDA Police would like to encourage boaters to boat responsibly when on the water this summer and “Mind Your Wake”. Boaters passing close to other boats, docks and shorelines have been generating complaints in many parts of the lakes the past few years.
In an effort to help educate boaters and encourage responsible boating, GRDA is reminding boaters that state law prohibits operation of a boat greater than idle speed (no wake) while within 150 feet of a dock, bridge, structure, ramp, swimmer or other person in the water or within areas that are marked by No Wake buoys or signs.
All boat operators are encouraged to be courteous and responsible, and make sure that the wakes produced do not impact other boats and paddle craft like kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards. Those boat operators that cause damaging wakes or endanger the safety of others can be cited or even arrested under state law and can be held civilly liable for damage or injuries created by their wakes. GRDA officers have the authority to stop unsafe boat operators on the water and take appropriate law enforcement action if necessary.
All boat operators should be mindful of the impact of the wakes they produce and be respectful of other boaters and shoreline property owners. All boat operators are encouraged to take a boating safety course to become more familiar with Oklahoma boating laws. Visit www.boat-ed.org for more information on courses and boating safety.
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A section of the off-road area below the Pensacola Dam has been closed to public access due to nesting Bald Eagles.
The map shows the Eagle Nesting Area that is restricted access.
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Getting Your Boat Ready for the Season
If you are one of the millions of boaters with spring fever, itching to get your vessel out of winter storage and back onto the water, be sure to take the time to properly de-winterize and prepare your boat before taking it out for its first voyage of the season.
Having a spring ritual that includes recommended inspection, tune-up and cleaning of your boat before setting out on your first trip can help prevent a host of problems that could keep you off the water later in the season — not to mention, help keep you and everyone aboard safe during your adventures.
Following are some tips to help get your boat as ready as you are to hit the water this year.
· Read your owner’s manual and consult the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance guidelines.
· Familiarize (or re-familiarize) yourself with your boat — its components, features and safety precautions.
· Complete Your Pre-Launch Inspection and Maintenance.
· To help ensure a smooth, safe start to the boating season, have a certified technician or mechanic perform the recommended maintenance on your vessel. Whether or not you get a professional tune-up, be sure to complete the following checklist before leaving the dock:
o Inspect all safety equipment on board, including fire extinguishers, flares, personal flotation devices and first-aid kits, and repair, recharge and restock them as necessary.
o Check all lights on your boat to make sure they are in place and operating properly.
o Open the engine compartment to check for excess water in the bilge.
o Check for any electrical issues, such as loose, disconnected or corroded conductors.
o Check that the battery is properly charged and secured to the vessel.
o Check the fuel tank for leaks and ensure there is proper ventilation.
o Check the fuel filters to make sure no water is present.
o Fill your tank with the freshest, highest-quality fuel available.
o Change and check the oil level before starting the boat for the first time.
If you will be towing your vessel to its launch point, you will also need to properly inspect and maintain your trailer prior to your first outing. Once all tasks on your pre-launch checklist are complete, you can start your engine and get out on the water. It is important on your first, and every trip of the season, to follow safe launching practices, monitor the engine temperature to make sure it is not overheating, monitor the cooling system to make sure it is operating correctly and ensure you and your passengers know and follow safe boating practices.
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SH-28 Opens
at Spillways!
All lanes of east and westbound SH-28 are scheduled to be opened this week as the project to improve the three bridges on SH-28 at Grand Lake comes to an end.
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Sporting the Life Jackets
Suzi Allen and Nancy Sanchez with the Scenic Rivers Office celebrated National Wear Your Life Jacket to Work Day last Friday as a reminder of the importance to wear your life jackets when being on the water this season.
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Dive School Completed
GRDA Police Lieutenants Tyler Cooper and Nate Cooper both completed Open Water dive school in Cookson, Ok last week.
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GRDA Police Offer Floating Tips for Memorial Day Weekend Visitors
The Grand River Dam Authority Police Department wants to remind those heading to the scenic Illinois River for the Memorial Day holiday of some important information that can help promote a safe time on the water.
Everyone is encouraged to come out and have a great time, but it is important to remember that enjoyable outings always start with floating safe, smart, and sober.
GRDA Police are sharing the following “Do’s and Don’ts” to keep in mind while you enjoy the scenic Illinois River.
· DO let the commercial float operator know if anyone in the party is a first-time or novice floater(s). They may be able to pair them with an experienced paddler/floater or float the person in a raft where there is a lesser chance for capsizing.
· DON’T dive into the river from bridges, bluffs, stream banks and trees.
· DO WEAR YOUR LIFE JACKET
· DO respect the weather and the water. If tired while floating, take a break on the bank or a gravel bar to rest.
· DON’T swim or boat alone. Stay within sight of companions.
· DO camp only in designated areas.
· DON’T take anything on a float trip that could be lost in the river. Check car keys and other personal effects with the commercial float operator for safe keeping.
· DO be mindful that – due to recent high-water conditions – the river may contain some debris that presents navigational hazards.
For more information, contact the GRDA Scenic River Operations office at 918-456-3251. The office is located at 15971 N. Highway 10 in Tahlequah. For an emergency on the water, please call 911. The GRDA Police Department's non-emergency number is 918-256-0911.
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GRDA Returns to
Normal Operations
GRDA continues to move forward with normal services after a year of restrictions because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The majority of our personnel have returned to our facilities, and effective June 1st all GRDA facilities will be open to the public to include the Eco Center in Langley and the Scenic Rivers Office in Tahlequah. While we continue the process of returning to normal work operations, the following conditions will remain in effect:
- The Pensacola Dam will not be open for public tours due to continued maintenance at the facility.
- The GRDA Police Department will continue to follow procedures established by state and federal authorities to protect you and our personnel by respecting personal distances and limiting personal contacts. This may require that officers wear PPE, conduct more of our investigations by phone and email, prioritizing responses and reducing contacts for minor violations.
As we return to normalized services, we ask that everyone continue to respect the personal distances of others. In spite of recent improvements in pandemic numbers, we still need to continue practices to maintain appropriate distances from other people, practice good hygiene and protect your personnel and the public.
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FOCUS on GRDA:
Ecosystems & Watershed Management and
Scenic Rivers Operations
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Conservation Easements
One of the Grand River Dam Authority’s founding objectives was to create a conservation and reclamation district. Thus, good stewardship of the natural resources under our control has always been at the core of the GRDA mission. In recent years, GRDA has began to place extra emphasis on obtaining conservation easements along sensitive waterways. These conservation easements are legally binding although voluntary agreements, between GRDA and landowners, to restrict usage of land within the easements.
Once an easement is agreed upon, the property is designated as a protected riparian area. The landowner then works with GRDA staff and program resources to implement various conservation practices, stabilize streambanks, and manage the easement in ways that will benefit water quality in the adjacent water-bodies. These agreements include best management practices (BMPs), which are things such as stopping new construction, keeping livestock out, and optimizing agricultural production.
Having naturalized riparian areas can help to filter as much as 80 percent of pollutants such as bacteria, nutrients, and sediments before they enter streams, and are one of our best and least expensive tools to help protect water resources in these important watersheds. Since GRDA’s absorption of the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission in 2016, 1,480 acres have been added to the conservation easement inventory, including 800 acres in 2020.
The ultimate goal of these conservation easements and BMPs are to keep the land surrounding our precious water-bodies as close to its natural state as possible. If we are able to do this, the water quality in these areas will be better off for it.
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Do You Need Current Lake Information? |
Go to the GRDA Storm Ops web page to get current data including lake levels, lake parameters, storage details, flow conditions and much more.
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Did You Know?
Always file a float plan. File a float plan with someone you trust that includes details about the trip, boat, persons, towing or trailer vehicle, communication equipment and emergency contacts.
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"Updates" on the Web
If you didn't receive our latest GRDA Update or you have a friend that wants to see our Updates, go to our website at https://www.grda.com/grda-police/ and click on the GRDA POLICE UPDATE for the latest version of our email release or to Join Our Email List.
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NAV TIME
A Summary of Boating Laws, Navigation Regulations & Tips
That All Boat Operators Should Know
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Check the Weather Beforehand
Warm, sunny days are ideal for boating, but you can’t always predict when a storm will roll in. Varying gusts of wind and choppy water are signs of an approaching storm. And even if it’s a warm spring day, the water could instead reflect winter temperatures. In the event that your boat capsizes or you and your passengers get wet, make sure you have a plan to seek help and get dry.
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Boating Tips From
Americas Boating Club
Grand Lake
An important piece of safety equipment that is required to be onboard your boat is a type IV floatation device. This is a throwable device such as a cushion that floats, Styrofoam ring or horseshoe buoy. It is helpful to choose one that has something easy to grasp such as handles, so the individual can hold it close to their chest until they are rescued. An additional consideration is to have a throwable device with a line(rope) tied to it to retrieve the individual in the water.
Every boater should practice a man overboard drill. Remember to approach at a slow speed from downwind to avoid drifting over the person in the water. When close, shift into neutral and coast to the person. After you have made contact with a paddle, boat hook or line, turn off the engine, and then put the boat in gear to stop propeller rotation to avoid any minimal propeller rotation that could cause injury to the person in the water when bringing onboard.
Are you interested in joining a boating club on Grand Lake to have fun, plus the opportunity to take courses online or in the classroom to improve your boating skills and knowledge? Visit online americasboatingclub.org or usps.org/grandlake, on Facebook: America’s boating club-grand lake for more information.
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2021
Special Events Schedule
June 5: Camp Bandage Grand Lake, Duck Creek, Grand Lake RV Resort
June 5: Lake Hudson Free Kids Fishing Tournament, Lakeshore RV Park, Salina
June 11-13: Toes in the Grand Festival, Wolf Creek Park, Grove
June 11-13: Thunder on Wolf Creek, Grand Lake
June 12: GRDA Police Boater Safety Course, Eco Center in Langley
June 19: GRDA Police Boater Safety Course, Eco Center in Langley
June 19: Rock the Dock, Check In Bay, Grand Lake
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Do you have a Special Event Planned?
PLEASE let us know about your lake or river events so we can provide the resources you may need to make it a positive experience!
If you have a special event you would like for us to help you promote,
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GRDA Police Dispatch 918-256-0911
GRDA Ecosystems and Education Center 918-981-8470
GRDA Lake Permits 918-256-0852
GRDA Pensacola Dam Tours & Facility Information 918-981-8470
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