Family drowned at lock & dam pool #7

[fisherman-andy]

Here is the story: http://www.twincities.com/minnesota/ci_5889736?source=rv

I am angered that through this whole ordeal no one bothered to put life jackets on. Not even on the kids. What were they thinking bringing such a small boat that close. Plus the wife was pregant with an unborn child. Why? When will people learn that safety is always first.

[nofishfisherman]

I saw this on the news last night. They mentioned last night that they found 3 life vests but that witnesses saw the kids wearing vests before the accident. I can only assume that during all the tumbling and churning that goes on in the back wash of a dam the vests were most likely ripped off the bodies. Its a sad thing to see for sure.

The news also said that they had borrowed the boat, you kind of wonder if they had enough experience to be out there with the boat. The Mississippi River isn't a great place for a novice to be learning. One mistake and you can be in a real bad situation before you know it.

[Down to Earth]

Our local paper ran a article warning of the dangers of fishing near the dams. Thought it would be a good read for those of us who fish them.

http://postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?z=2&a=294160

[kaz2611]

Just a ? do these dams on the mississippi have signs warning of strong undertow and NO BOATS BEYOND THESE MARKERS. This is a sad tradgedy. My thoughts and prayers go out to their families.

[magnumthunder]

Yes it is posted . It's illegal too be 600' from the top and 150' from the bottom. They probably dont know the laws or could not read the english signs !

[Shack]

I heard this afternoon they found one body. Core of engineers had to open and close dam flood gates to hopfully gets bodies to get out of rotating current of dam. It sure is a shame this happened. I think dam area'a are not worth it when it comes to fishing them from a boat. Some guys would disagree with me, but I feel there are just as good of places to fish, then right above or below dam.

[hondavxr]

I think the family had little or no boating experience. I read in the Star Trib that the family was fishing at a different area but had boat motor problems. The boat with the family drifted towards the lock and dam. Several other boaters attempted to help the family. Finally a rope reached the family on the boat and all things seem to be going right. The other boats were towing the family out, and then all the sudden water filled the family's boat. And the boat washed away. Eyewitnesses said that the kids on the boat were wearing their life vest. I think even if all of them were wearing their preservers I don't think they would have survived. The toe and undercurrents of those locks and dams are just too crazy and unpredictable, I think a person will still be submerged or tossed around. My prayers go out to their families and friends.

[magnumthunder]

It was a borrowed boat. Thats an area of the river where you should know how to handle a boat. Your boat will be on one side of the anchor 1 minute and on the otherside the next. Also never pull a boat backwards in that type of water because it will just suck you down. They also reported finding 3 life jackets. Were they wearing them properly or were they just on? If they were on proper wouldn't the jacket still be with the body. It would make finding the bodies easier.

[Shack]

On the bussiness side of dam, anything you are wearing could be ripped off. If not by current and under tow, logs and other stuff could catch it. I think that is the problem they have now with victums. They are possibley stuck to something at bottom of dam or are in a constant rotation. It makes me sick of getting stuck in that.