News Release

Operation Dry Water

Date: June 27, 2020
Contact: Alan Hageman, 509-754-7866

Coulee Dam – The National Park Service (NPS), in partnership with local law enforcement agencies, will be participating in “Operation Dry Water” July 3-5. Operation Dry Water is a national campaign to educate boaters about the dangers of boating under the influence (BUI) of drugs or alcohol. During this time, boaters at Lake Roosevelt will see an increased law enforcement presence from NPS, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife Police, and local Sheriff departments during this effort to promote safe recreation on Lake Roosevelt.
 
“We take boating under the influence very seriously. That’s why we participate in this nationwide campaign.” says National Park Service Park Ranger, Chris Dodds, “We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable time. It’s not worth the risk!”

Lake Roosevelt is a regional magnet for all manner of recreational boating and with the increasing recreational access, rising lake levels, and summer weather, rangers anticipate many people will be enjoying themselves out on the water. However, boating under the influence has no place in the mix of our boating community.

According to the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), alcohol is the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents. NSBLA reminds boaters that if you boat under the influence, your voyage may be terminated, the boat may be impounded, and the operator may be arrested. Penalties vary by state but can include fines, jail and loss of boating or even driving privileges.
 

• The federal blood alcohol content (BAC) legal limit for operating a vessel under the influence is .08
• Alcohol use can impair a boater’s judgment, balance, vision and reaction time
• Sun, wind, noise, vibration and motion — “stressors” common to the boating environment— intensify the effects of alcohol, drugs, and some medications
• Alcohol use can increase fatigue and susceptibility to the effects of cold-water immersion.
• Alcohol is dangerous for passengers too. Intoxication can cause slips, falls overboard and other dangerous accidents.
• If you boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol you are endangering your life and the lives of others.

To report BUI or other dangerous boating operations, call 911 and provide a location, vessel description, and nature of the unsafe operation.

Our wish is for everyone to enjoy their Lake Roosevelt experience and not allow BUI to destroy that experience through an arrest, accident, or personal tragedy. To that end, please be respectful of others and promote a safe and enjoyable recreational experience on Lake Roosevelt.