Accident Database: Accident #147
| River: | Kansas River |
| Location: | Bowerstock Dam |
| Water Level: | Medium |
| Difficulty: | I |
| Accident Code(s): | Lowhead Dam |
| Injury Code(s): | Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal |
| Experienced/Inexperienced: | Inexperienced |
| Private/Commercial: | Private |
| Boat Type: | Other |
| Boat Model: | John Boat |
| Number of Occupants: | 2 |
| Number in Group: | 2 |
| Number of Victims: | 1 |
| Hazard Codes: | Hydraulic/Keeper Hole |
| Detailed Description: | On April 17th two men were fishing from a john boat on the Kansas River near Lawrence, KS. Neither man was wearing a life vest. Drinking , dozing, and drifting, they woke up at the lip of the Bowerstock Dam! They tried to make it to shore, but failed. So they turned downstream and braced for the 5' drop. One man was washed free and survived. The other was trapped. The boat was found six miles downstream; the body was not recovered until a week later. Source: Topeka Capitol Journal |
| Conclusions: | Analysis: Another accident demonstrating the danger of low-head dams and the risks of being less than alert on moving water. |
| Report Status: | Completed |