Grand River Dam Authority Police Department |
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EMERGENCY 911 GRDA Police 918-256-0911
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Legends of the Fall Races to
Pensacola Dam
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Off-road enthusiasts will enjoy an entirely new experience in the off-road area below the Pensacola Dam and in the Town of Disney this weekend when the Mid America Outdoors team joins forces with Crawloween organizers to bring a national off-road race to the area. October 26 through 29 are when we will see one hundred off-road racing teams from around the country converge on the Disney/Langley area for the “Legends of the Fall” debut in the off-road areas below the Pensacola Dam.
Weeks of planning between officials with GRDA, the Town of Disney and Mid America Outdoors will result in what is expected to draw over 10,000 people to the area this week to see the professional drivers racing over the difficult terrain on the GRDA properties below the dam.
The Legends event will be combined with the annual Crawloween festivities in Disney to provide a variety of attractions and entertainment for participants and spectators attending the event. State Highway 28 in Disney will be closed Friday & Saturday to provide for an entertainment stage and vendor areas for the events. Public parking areas will be available throughout the Disney and Langley area with shuttle busses provided for those that want to view the races and attend the festival activities.
Officials anticipate large crowds and high volumes of traffic in the area for the Legends event, and those that are attending the events are reminded to obey traffic control signs, road closures, officials and to stay away from restricted areas. Spectators are also reminded to abide by GRDA regulations that apply to the off-road properties of GRDA, as GRDA Police will have a full complement of officers to work enforcement and provide assistance during the event.
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We’re On the Move
The Grand River Dam Authority has been working for years on consolidating our administrative departments into a central location and began construction of a new Administrative Center in Chouteau two years ago.
Construction of the GRDA Administrative Center is nearing completion and plans are currently underway to move many of our employees into the new offices located at 8624 Highway 412B in Chouteau near the Mid America Industrial Park, on the property of the Grand River Energy Center on Hwy 412B at Hwy 412.
GRDA employees with the Ecological and Shoreline Compliance Divisions will remain at the GRDA Ecological & Educaton Center in Langley. Administrative staff with the Law Enforcement Division will soon move to the new Administrative Center in Chouteau.
Our phone numbers and email addresses will remain the same, so you will still be able to maintain regular contact with us, but we ask for your patience as we transition many of our personnel to our new home.
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Staying Safe on Cold Water is Everyone’s Responsibility
The GRDA Police Department reminds anyone whose autumn plans include spending time on or around the water to keep safety in mind. While more boating-related accidents happen during the summer, boating fatalities are higher during the cold-water season.
As water temperatures drop, water-based activities become riskier. A fall into a cold lake, pond or river can result in even a strong swimmer becoming incapacitated quickly. Further, cries for help can go unheard and rescues can take longer than in the warm-weather months when more people are on or near the water.
Nobody expects to encounter a life-or-death situation when they’re out on the water, but the people who survive such experiences tend to be the ones who are best prepared.
The easiest and most effective way to stay safe and survive a fall into the water is to wear a life jacket. Having a life jacket “nearby” will not help in an accidental fall. Foam life jackets are the best option when the water is cold because inflatable life jackets may not fully inflate.
While boating or paddling, people can reduce the likelihood of a fall overboard by distributing weight evenly and abiding by the manufacturer’s weight limits. Changes in weather that result in shifting winds and storms can also lead to a treacherous situation, so it’s vital for anglers, hunters and others recreating on or near the water to keep an eye to the sky.
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Do Your Business Online
There is a host of information available on our website at grda.com for those that live and work on our lakes, and much of the business you need to conduct with GRDA can be done online. This includes completing applications and paying for required permits.
When you go to grda.com, you can click on the link for Lake Permits. Review the list of permit applications available to include Dock Permits, Fishing Tournament permits, Construction permits, Buoy Placement permits, Special Event permits and a variety of others. Select the permit application that you need and email the completed application to our permit office at lakepermits@grda.com.
You can also make payment for required permits on the same page of the website using the tab for GRDA ONLINE PAYMENT CENTER. Whether you need to pay the fees for a new permit or the annual fees for a permit such as a dock, you can do it all online using a credit card at the online payment center.
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Seasonal Safety Tips for Floaters and Boaters
Ask around and you may find that many water enthusiasts across the area are convinced that the best boating and floating weather of all takes place on beautiful fall days in Oklahoma, when the fall foliage is just as brilliant as the summer foliage. All around the shores of Grand Lake, Lake Hudson, and the Illinois River, that foliage puts on a brilliant show of color this time of year.
So, if your upcoming weekend plans still include some time on the water, remember that fall also means shorter days and cooler temperatures. But, with a little preparation, you can still have an enjoyable trip this time of year. Here are a few safety tips to remember:
· Make sure your boat’s navigational lights are all working properly. Remember, it gets darker sooner this time of year and even if you do not plan to be on the water after dark, you should still be prepared for low light conditions. It is also helpful to carry waterproof flashlights in your boat; they may come in handy when loading and unloading passengers.
· In all seasons, it is important to know the area where you will be boating or floating. However, the shorter fall days can make navigating more difficult. Being familiar with your surroundings will promote a more enjoyable, safer trip.
· Also, file a float plan with someone responsible. Let them know what part of the water you will be on and when you might expect to return.
· While fall remains a popular time to go boating, you should still expect to see less traffic than in the summer months. That is why it is important to carry along a whistle or a cell phone in case of an emergency. There are just fewer water visitors to flag down for help. Remember, for emergencies on the water, call 911. If your boat has a marine band radio, you can also contact GRDA Police on channel 16.
GRDA encourages you to enjoy the beautiful waters in all seasons but also keep these safety tips in mind. As always, remember to boat and float safe, smart, and sober.
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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?
A number of drowning deaths involved people using inflatable life jackets that had expired cartridges or life jackets that were not properly buckled, thus making them ineffective as lifesaving devices.
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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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Boating in Fog
Chances are when you are on the water you will occasionally encounter fog, making navigation a challenge. Because of the time it can take to stop or turn a marine vessel, fog is usually considered dense for mariners if it reduces visibility to less than 1 mile. Fog can form quickly and catch boaters off guard. Visibility can be reduced to a few feet, which can disorient even the most experienced boaters.
Learning to navigate through fog (or avoiding it) is critical to safe boating. These safety tips will help to keep you safe:
· Slow down to avoid collisions.
· Turn on all of your navigation lights, even in daytime.
· Listen for sounds of other boats that may be near you or for fog horns and bells from nearby buoys.
· VHF NOAA Weather Radio should broadcast important information concerning the formation, movement or dissipation of the fog. Pay close attention.
· If your vessel has radar, use it to help locate dangers that may be around you.
· Use GPS or a navigation chart to help obtain a fix on your location.
· If you are unable to get your bearings, stay put until the fog lifts but make sure you are in a safe location.
· Be familiar with horn and bell sounds you should produce to warn others around you when in dense fog.
· Have a compass available. Even if you don't know where you are in the fog, with a compass you can determine the direction you are navigating.
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Boating Tips From
Americas Boating Club
Grand Lake
Fall is officially here along with shorter hours of daylight for boating. It’s a great time of the year to boat, but wise boaters on Grand Lake will recognize the lake lever is lower and take the necessary precautions. Know the depth of water where one will be boating. A chart map showing water depths and your depth finder are essential for saving potentially big dollars in repairs.
Shorter hours of daylight may also have one boating in the dark before finishing your outing. Make sure your navigational lights are working before going out.
Know the three main tenets of boating at night: Avoid hitting anything in the water, avoid being hit by other boats, and make sure you and your crew don't go overboard. Even if you don’t wear a PFD in the daylight, it is wise to wear one at night. Keep a few glowsticks around for each person. It's much easier to find someone overboard if he or she has a light.
Slow down, maintain a lookout for obstacles and boats without navigation lights. Turn down your music and talk quieter so you can hear other boats. Keep a search light onboard to warn other boats if needed or if someone falls overboard. Remember the danger sound signal is five blasts of a horn or whistle.
Consider yourself invited to join the local boating club to have fun, plus the opportunity to take courses online or in the classroom to improve your boating skills and knowledge. Visit us online at usps.org/grandlake and send us an email with your contact information. Also visit us at Facebook: America’s boating club-grand lake for more information.
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2022
Special Events Schedule
October 26-29: Legends of the Fall-Crawloween, Pensacola Dam Off Road Area
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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 918-782-1743
GRDA Pensacola Dam Tours & Facility Information 918-981-8470
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