Accident Database

Report ID# 31935

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  • Caught in Low Head Dam Hydraulic
  • Does not Apply
  • Solo Paddling

Accident Description

Dave Hillman Says that the Iowa fatality was a kayak who was below a low head dam and got sucked into the hydralic from downstream.

 

Search ends when his family finds Dencklau in the river

‘At about 12:15 family members discovered Alex’s body ... south of the wastewater treatment plant’

The Messenger - Des Moines, IA

LOCAL NEWS  

JUN 1, 2018

HANS MADSEN

Reporter/ photographer
hmadsen@messengernews.net
 
 
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-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen Fort Dodge firefighter Ashley Jochum along with another firefighter helps search the Des Moines River Wednesday for Alex Dencklau, 26, of Clare, who disappeared Monday afternoon following a kayak accident south of the Hydrolectric Dam in Fort Dodge. Dencklau’s remains were discovered by a family member Thursday south of the Water Treatment Plant in Fort Dodge.

The body of missing kayaker Alex Dencklau, 26, of Clare, was discovered Thursday afternoon in the Des Moines River, according to Fort Dodge Fire Chief Steve Hergenreter.

Dencklau had been missing since a Monday afternoon kayak accident south of the Hydroelectric Dam in Fort Dodge.

“At about 12:15 family members discovered Alex’s body in the river south of the wastewater treatment plant,” Hergenreter said.

Hergenreter said the family members were on the river in a boat assisting with the search. After locating him, they contacted the Webster County Communication Center which then directed the Fire Department. The call was recorded at 12:15 p.m.

“The Fire Department went down and recovered Alex from the river,” he said.

 

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen Fort Dodge firefighters helps search an area of the Des Moines River about Duck Island Wednesday afternoon for the remains of Alex Dencklau, 26, of Clare. Firefighters recovered a set of human remains from the river Thursday morning.

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