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Show Reasons for drownings at Flaming Gorge The tragic drowning of Larry Johnson and Lucille Cramer on July 10, raises the total of lives claimed by the Green River. From Flaming Gorge Dam to the Browns Park area there have been five drownings since the dam was completed. In 1966, a man drowned after the canoe in which he and three companions com-panions were riding, captized in "Cliff Rapids." In 1978, a fisherman wearing chest waders drowned after he fell into the nver. A third man drowned during the summer of 1979 near Browns Park. He had been collecting rocks from a rock bar in the middle of the river and placing them in a bag suspended from his shoulder. When the water level increased and caused the raft to drift he was unable to reach it safely and drowned. In the most recent incident two couples were dumped into the river when their raft struck a rock about one-fourth one-fourth mile below "Cliff Rapids." Two individuals managed to cling to the raft but two others submerged and were later found drifting downstream. Sound judgement and strict adherence to all safety regulations are re-emphasized at this time. Despite education and enforcement efforts by the Forest Service and Utah Department Depart-ment of Parks and Recreation, in each of the above incidents, victims were not wearing a personal floatation device. Each person floating the Green River is required to wear, at all times, a Coast Guard approved type I, Type II or Type III life jacket, in good condition. An extra set of paddles or oars is required to cover loss or breakage, and a bailing device of one gallon capacity is compulsory. com-pulsory. In 1978, potential risks to river users were reduced with the completion of penstock modification at Flaming Gorge Dam. Newly installed structures allowed the Water and Power Resources Services to increase water temperatures in the river (during the summer months) from near 40 degrees Fahrenheit to about 55 degrees Fahrenheit. While the danger of hypothermia (severe body temperature reduction) has been alleviated, the danger of drowning will always remain with water related recreation activities. The difference between an enjoyable recreation experience and a tragedy may be common sense and a properly worn life jacket. |