OROFINO – As the boating season draws to a close at Dworshak Reservoir, your assistance requested. Throughout the season, a slew of loaner life jackets have been lost this year.
The US Army Corps of Engineers also welcomes donations of gently used life jackets, a gesture that not only ensures the safety of fellow boaters but also fosters a culture of shared responsibility and safety awareness. These donations can be left on the life jacket loaner boards.
It is always crucial to wear a life jacket when in, on, or near the water. Keep in mind that there are drop-offs, currents, and underwater debris that make swimming in open water very different than swimming at a beach or pool. Wearing a life jacket drastically increases your chances of survival. When swimming or wading at a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lake, please wear a life jacket and don’t ask others to do anything that might make them exceed their swimming ability and risk drowning.
Under Idaho state law, children aged 14 and under must wear properly fitting life jackets while a vessel is in motion. While those over 14 aren’t obligated to wear one, it is mandatory to have a properly fitting life jacket on board. This regulation applies to all watercraft, including motorized and non-motorized boats, jet skis, canoes, kayaks, rafts, and stand-up paddleboards.
Together, let’s ensure the well-being of everyone recreating at our local reservoir.