Corps Urges Water Safety As Lakes Lower
By: Marci Manley, KARK 4 News
Updated: June 29, 2012
"I'll just go through a safety check to make sure you have everything," he said to the family floating on the speedboat Friday.
Greers Ferry Park Ranger Gary Ivy, and others like him across the state, will be patrolling local lakes and rivers this weekend, steering people toward safety.
"One drowning is too many," he said. "We're going to do everything we can to prevent that from happening."
Ivy's reiterating a familiar safety message that's a simple step and done in a snap.
"I want to make sure you have a life jacket for every child and adult on board," he told one boater. "Putting it on will save your life."
The record breaking hot weather has the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reminding folks of a different danger, water levels dropping due to dry conditions.
"There may be underwater obstacles that could be several feet underwater at normal times but right now, they're closer," said Little Rock District Office spokesperson Laurie Driver. "That could be dangerous."
"There are trees and things like that could be under the surface that could pose obstacles. Normally, boats would be able to zip right over them and not think about it," Ivy said.
Greers Ferry Lake is about four feet below conservation level. Some lakes are lower than that across the state.
And when you have folks who like to do daring stunts like jumping off cliffs, that could hazardous. Because in this case, what you don't know could hurt you.
"You're running a risk every time you jump. And that's why we don't promote it," Ivy said. "There may be a rock that's down there when the lake's up at conservation it may not be a hazard, but the level it is right now, it could be and you just wouldn't know."
And alcohol can contribute to safety concerns, leading lake goers to act or leap before they look.
"If you're consuming alcohol you think you're invincible a lot of the times," Ivy said. "You really want to be sure you are being responsible and safe."
Ivy's not looking to put a damper on the fun, but keep boaters and swimmers out of harm's way.
"We don't want to see anybody lose a life on this lake," he said.
Greers Ferry Park Ranger Gary Ivy, and others like him across the state, will be patrolling local lakes and rivers this weekend, steering people toward safety.
"One drowning is too many," he said. "We're going to do everything we can to prevent that from happening."
Ivy's reiterating a familiar safety message that's a simple step and done in a snap.
"I want to make sure you have a life jacket for every child and adult on board," he told one boater. "Putting it on will save your life."
The record breaking hot weather has the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reminding folks of a different danger, water levels dropping due to dry conditions.
"There may be underwater obstacles that could be several feet underwater at normal times but right now, they're closer," said Little Rock District Office spokesperson Laurie Driver. "That could be dangerous."
"There are trees and things like that could be under the surface that could pose obstacles. Normally, boats would be able to zip right over them and not think about it," Ivy said.
Greers Ferry Lake is about four feet below conservation level. Some lakes are lower than that across the state.
And when you have folks who like to do daring stunts like jumping off cliffs, that could hazardous. Because in this case, what you don't know could hurt you.
"You're running a risk every time you jump. And that's why we don't promote it," Ivy said. "There may be a rock that's down there when the lake's up at conservation it may not be a hazard, but the level it is right now, it could be and you just wouldn't know."
And alcohol can contribute to safety concerns, leading lake goers to act or leap before they look.
"If you're consuming alcohol you think you're invincible a lot of the times," Ivy said. "You really want to be sure you are being responsible and safe."
Ivy's not looking to put a damper on the fun, but keep boaters and swimmers out of harm's way.
"We don't want to see anybody lose a life on this lake," he said.
