Date: 7/13/11
Contact: Douglas Nielsen
Phone: (702) 486-5127 x 3500

SUMMER STORMS POSE DANGERS FOR BOATERS

The powerful thunderstorm that blew through Southern Nevada during the July 4 holiday weekend left unwary boaters stranded and had emergency personnel tied up for hours while providing needed assistance. Storms such as this develop very quickly and are characterized by sudden violent changes in the weather, including high winds, lightning and heavy rain.

"Each of these by themselves can create danger for boaters, but add them together and boaters are in real trouble," said Capt. David Pfiffner, boating law administrator for the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). "Many people, especially those who are new to the desert or are here on vacation just don't realize how fast desert thunderstorms come up. These unsuspecting boaters are often taken by surprise and that can lead to some very real safety problems."

The Lower Colorado River system is considered to be one of the busiest recreational waterways in the country. Over the July 4 holiday weekend alone, the Lake Mead National Recreation Area welcomed nearly 108,000 visitors. Unfortunately, through the years several people have lost their lives in weather related boating accidents along this stretch of the river. Swamped boats are a significant problem during the summer months, and not only pose a danger to passengers but also to responding game wardens and other emergency responders. Oftentimes the victims are not wearing their life jackets when an accident occurs.

"When caught by a storm, the first thing a boater should do – if they aren't wearing it already -- is put on their lifejacket. The next thing is to look for a protected location, such as a cove, in which to ride out the storm," said Pfiffner. What boaters don't want to do is try to outrun the storm to the marina.

Heavy rains associated with thunderstorm activity can lead to flash floods, which can wash large amounts of debris into waterways. Boat operators should watch for floating debris that might damage their boat or cause a serious accident.

Pfiffner recommends checking the weather forecast before leaving home. In additional to the local newscast, the National Weather Service is a source of weather related information. To access the organization's weather forecasts simply enter National Weather Service followed by the location of interest in your online search engine. It's also important to monitor the weather for any changes while you are in the outdoors. A good rule of thumb is to keep an eye to the sky. When thunderheads build up on the horizon, it's probably time to head in.

Changes in the weather generally come from the west. The list of warning signs includes wind shifts, thunderheads building up in the distance, increasingly choppy waters, swelling waves and a drop in barometric pressure.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, and promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW's wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen's license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org.