GRDA Update

June 1, 2022

Grand River Dam Authority Police Department

EMERGENCY 911 GRDA Police 918-256-0911

GRDA Takes Flight

in New Aircraft

Because of the vast service area for the Grand River Dam Authority, GRDA has operated aircraft in the lake’s region since 1977 when the GRDA Lake Patrol operated sea planes from Grand Lake. In 2001, our first helicopter was introduced to our air support operations, a 2001 Robinson R44 till it was decommissioned in 2020. In 2004 GRDA purchased the current helicopter that many recognize flying around the area, a 1982 Bell 206 Long Ranger.

The Air Support Operations Division of the GRDA begins a new era with the introduction of a new, state-of-the-art helicopter. After years of planning, GRDA recently accepted delivery on a new Bell 407GXI helicopter that includes the latest in technology to help us complete our various missions.

The 2022 Bell 407 helicopter is equipped with fly-by-wire technology, electronic instrumentation and a host of other flight controls that will improve performance, capabilities and safety. The new aircraft has a larger engine allowing for added weights of passengers and equipment, and the most notable difference is the four-blade rotor compared to the two-blade rotor on the old aircraft. The larger engine will also provide for future capabilities such as hoist operations and sling loads including “Bambi Buckets” for firefighting.

One of the most important aspects of the new helicopter is that is comes to us factory built with a host of electronics to aid in our operations including GPS mapping, hi-resolution video and digital photo capabilities with a 70-200 mm zoom lens. The new aircraft also includes a hi-intensity 800-watt spotlight and Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) technology with real-time temperature readings to aid in power line faults, searches and night operations.

The aircraft operated by GRDA are used for a variety of assignments including line patrols by the Transmissions Division for the maintenance and line fault location of more than 1,200 miles of electrical transmission lines.

GRDA Police use the helicopter for routine patrols and calls for more than 210 miles of water at the lakes and rivers, flights to maintain the navigation controls on the lakes, in addition to searches, pursuits, special events and VIP transports. Officers also use the aircraft for regular flights at the lakes to enforce federal shoreline compliance regulations, to locate spills for hazardous materials as well as potential ecological hazards such as Blue Green Algae outbreaks. Since the Tulsa Police Department is the only other police agency in northeast Oklahoma that operates a helicopter, our aircraft is regularly requested to assist other police agencies in the region.

The Ecological Department of GRDA utilizes the aircraft for water quality inspection flights, to monitor wildlife in the lake’s region, such as the Bald Eagle population, and to document boat counts on busy holiday weekends.

With the new aircraft comes the expansion of the personnel that we have available to fly the helicopter. The GRDA helicopters have been flown by pilot Brian Lambert (above photo left) since he joined GRDA in 2004, and he is also a certified mechanic that maintains the aircraft. We added a second pilot to our agency last year with Eddie Rose (photo right), who recently retired from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol as a helicopter pilot and is also certified on fixed-wing aircraft.

The new helicopter was put into service over the Memorial Day holiday weekend and will be operated out of the Grove Municipal Airport.

The Bell 206 Long Ranger that is familiar to lake and river users will be retired from service in the near future.

The Robinson R44 helicopter was taken out of service in 2020.

Police Continue Investigation of Missing Boater

GRDA Police are investigating a missing boater on Grand Lake that began over the holiday weekend. Police were called early Saturday morning after 48-year old Troy Young failed to return from a Friday night boat trip. Family of the missing subject reported he had taken his 24-foot Blue Yellowfin center console boat out from their dock about 10:30 pm on Friday to get fuel at Cedar Port Marina near the Pensacola Dam but failed to return by the time he had been reported missing at 8:00 am on Saturday morning.

Officers located the missing boat near the shore of Ketchum Cove, but it was not occupied. Authorities have since been conducting an extensive search by ground, in boats and by air in an attempt to locate the missing man.

The public is reminded to stay clear of emergency vessels operating in the area and asked to call GRDA Police at 918-256-0911 if you have any information related to this investigation.

Boating Safety Courses!

Holiday Drowning Investigated

GRDA Police are investigating the death of a 42-year old man that occurred Saturday in Flint Creek. The incident occurred after a teenage male went over the low-water dam in the area and went under water near Siloam Springs at Hwy 412. The boy’s father jumped in the water to help the teen and also went under water for a period a several minutes before both the adult and teen could be rescued from the water. Both victims were treated at the scene and transported to an area hospital, where the teen was revived but the adult male did not survive the incident.

Snowdale Park

Reopens for Day Use

Beginning May 20, Snowdale Park near Salina on Lake Hudson will be open daily from 6 am to 9 pm. The park has new restroom facilities, permanent concrete corn hole boards and the volleyball court has been reconditioned. At this time, overnight camping will not be available, but updated hours will be shared once available.

Visit this link for further details

Summer Boating Safety Tips

As the boating season begins, millions of Americans will be participating in recreational boating. While these excursions are full of fun and leisure, the number one priority for every boater should be safety. Remember that it is important to take the necessary steps to make sure everyone on board stays safe. Here are some tips to ensure you, your family, and friends are safe while on the water.

Before you go:

Take a Boating Safety Course
Get a Vessel Safety Check
Review Your Pre-Departure Checklist
Check the Weather
File a Float Plan
Ensure Engine, Batteries and Navigation Lights are Working

What you need:

Life Jackets
Throwable Flotation Aids
Visual Distress Signals
Sound Producing Devices
Engine Cut-Off Devices
Communication Devices

While operating the boat:

Be Aware and Maintain Proper Lookout
Boat Sober!
Wear Your Life Jackets
Use Navigation Aids

Thunder Roars

Over Wolf Creek

The annual boat racing challenge again comes to the Wolf Creek arm of Grand Lake on June 10 through 12 where Hydroplane and Runabout boats will compete for points in the National Boat Racing Association (NBRA). Thunder On Wolf Creek is conducted by the Oklahoma Boat Racing Association and sanctioned by the National Boat Racing Association.

The Grand River Dam Authority Police Department will be closing portions of the Wolf Creek arm of Grand Lake, as well as the Wolf Creek boat ramp during the 10th annual Thunder on Wolf Creek racing event held by the Oklahoma Boat Racing Association that will occur June 10th through June 12th in Grove.

Racing will take place on Friday from 12 PM to 5 PM, Saturday from 9 AM till 5 PM and on Sunday from 12 PM till 4 PM.

All boat and ramp traffic will be restricted from entering the Spring Branch of the Wolf Creek arm during those times. However, homeowners will be allowed access to their private docks with proof of residency.

All vessel operators should watch for special event navigational buoys and officers that will be present in the area.

According to OBRA, the national race will feature dozens of boats in 20 heats running an oval course where spectators will be able to watch boats reaching speeds up to 90 miles per hour. The event is slated to include 25 racing teams and is expected to draw around 1,000 spectators. For more information, visit www.thunderonwolfcreek.com.

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.

stormops.grda.tech/riveroperations

Did You Know?

Practice boating safety at all times by saving the alcohol for later. The probability of being involved in a boating accident doubles when alcohol is involved and studies have shown that the effects of alcohol are exacerbated by sun and wind.

GRDA Buoy Guide

"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

Things to Know About Life Jackets:

The best lifejacket is the one you will wear.
Certain lifejackets are designed to keep your head above water and help you remain in a position that permits proper breathing.
Some styles of lifejackets are not intended for weak or non-swimmers (read the label and be honest).
To meet U.S. Coast Guard requirements, a recreational vessel must have a U.S. Coast Guard Approved lifejacket for each person aboard.
Lifejacket wear regulations for children may vary by state.
Adult-sized lifejackets may not work for children. Child size lifejackets are available.
When worn correctly a foam filled lifejacket will fit snugly and will not allow the lifejacket to rise above the wearer's chin or ears.
Foam filled lifejackets should be tested for wear and buoyancy at least once a year. Waterlogged, faded, or otherwise damaged lifejackets should be discarded.
Inflatable lifejackets should be maintained per the manufacturer's instructions.

Most adults only need 7 to 12 pounds of buoyancy to keep their heads above water.

Boating Tips From

Americas Boating Club

Grand Lake

An afternoon forecast of 20% chance of thunderstorms may sound routine, but it can change rapidly. Few weather phenomena can threaten boaters as quickly as a thunderstorm. Be alert to the formation of towering cumulonimbus (Thunderheads) clouds and observe the typical anvil-shaped that indicates the direction the storm is moving. If the sides are moving in one direction, it should miss you, but if one side is streaming to the right and the other side to the left, you are likely in its path.

The rough distance to the storm may be estimated by timing the interval between the lightning flash and the thunderclap. Divide the time in seconds by five for the distance in miles.

The wind ahead of a thunderstorm can be variable or light, but when the roll cloud passes overhead, the wind will shift and blow violently with gusts that can exceed 60 mph, followed by heavy rain.

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.