Saving a TRAPPED angler on the island - when the water comes up

[Snow Fly]

A few years ago I went down to the dam early morning, foggy and the water was higher than the few times I had ever fished there. Water was not coming up and I made my way out to rebar hole and the rebar was above water. Started fishing for about 1 hr and the fishing was hot. Needless to say I was not paying attention to anything except the fish. After a while it felt like the current's speed had increased, then I noticed something real bad was taking place, the rebar was starting to disappear! Needless to say I started to move towards the north shore working towards the stairs near outlet # 3 at a high rate of speed. By the time I was in what is normally the shallow area when the water is off the pressure from the current became very strong.I made a stupid mistake, moving to fast and to long of steps.I was knocked to my knees, facing up stream,water up to my chest. Everytime I would try to get up I would get knocked back down, total of 3 times before I was able to get up and FINALLY out of the water & plenty wet. No horn ever went off while I was there. Man talk about scared, everytime I go there I remember this, and when the horn goes off you better get out of my way.Learned two valuable lessons. 1.Call when I get there to see if any water is on. 2.Bought a better wading belt and now wear it a lot tighter.

I always have wondered why there was no horn? Was it because water was already running and all they did was increase the flow?

[Guest lbt]

I watched him until I knew he was going be to trouble. ( I thought about breaking the glass at # 2 / for the inline phone, but I knew better..)

So I took off all my gear and jumped in the truck, drove up to the gates below the powerhouse and hit the button right below the dam. Told the operator a guy stuck on the island. Knowing me - they shut down to 100MW and called MO Water Patrol. The guy was really scared.. but I calmed him down, telling him help - by boat - help WAS on the way.

He got picked up and ferried across by an innocent bystander that just happened to see his arms flaying around for rescue help... big thanks to the couple for noticing a truly 'stuck' angler.

AND IT ALL happened right before an MDC AGENT AND THE WATER PAROL BOAT SHOW'D UP.

Should this guy have gotten a ticket or not ?

(impeading the flow of hydroelectric power generation is against the law )

Brian,

I have not put a post on here for quite a while, but this subject has really made me mad, so here it goes and this is only pointed towards Brian.

How can you sit there and know that the water is coming up and not help, it's like you wanted to see this poor man get in trouble, is that what you live for? I feel by what you put in your post that you had plenty of time to help the man before the water got way out of hand. I will admit that the water does sometimes come up fast, but not so fast that you can not put you're Redneck values that you have aside and help the poor man. What if the man would have drowned while you got in your truck and drove to the power house because they "know you" and will shut the water down when you call on them. Hey geuss what, a couple of friends and I will be down all next week. Can you make sure that they don't run any water, so that it will not interfear with our fishing. You must be a real hero saving three people and waiting for the fourth to drown.

Then you have the nerve to ask if he should recive a TICKET. Here I have a ticket for you a One Way Ticket to Mercy Ville. You must have ZERO responsibility about you, because a mature individual would not have done what you did, then mouth off about it. DAHHHH, what are you thinking preying on some ones misfrortune. What if the man was deaf? Do you have a problem with the handicapped? I sure don't because I have a friend that was in horrific accident and is know deaf. He can not hear the horn even if it would blow right in front of his face. When he fishes by himself, I would like to think that there would not be someone like you just standing around to watch a good show. HATS OFF to the people that helped the man.

And for the law, I'm pretty sure what the meaning of the sign is, if you break the glass for a non emergency, you will be arrested. I'm pretty sure this sounded like an emergency. Next time, use your head for somthing other than a HAT RACK, DA!

lbt

[Greg]

lbt

From Brian's narration of what happened I think you misinterpreted his actions completely. It sounds to me like he acted appropriately and maybe even saved the guys life. And do you know him well enough to call him a redneck? And while I don't think I agree that the guy should have been ticketed (anyone can make a mistake) I do see his point of view there. It is clearly marked regarding high water situations and it is taxpayer money that is wasted if a rescue is mounted and/or they have to shut off generation.

Greg

[Kicknbass]

No ticket

[Guest lbt]

For what Brian said "I watched him until I knew he was going to be in trouble"

If Brian thought for one moment that the man was in trouble he should have acted. That tells me that Brian could see the water was on the rise and being the one who has pointed out that he has saved four people, he should have done something sooner.If that would have been myself down there I would have told the guy that the water is on and rising, and got him to come across to safty

I will have to agree with Danoinark on the laws.

lbt

[Bill Babler]

I'm thinking about building a tree house on the island, kind of a How Stupid are you Inn.

Brian is the farthers person I know from a Redneck. You had better rethink that.

When your out there as much as he is things happen, and you just hope they will correct themself. It is a full time job just doing the right thing and keeping yourself out of trouble.

A couple of years ago I saw a 12ft. boat going up stream with 4 generators, I told my clients those guys are going to be in trouble and I approached them to say Man that is way to dangerious. They told me to F-Off. 30 minutes latter the water patrol was on their way for the rescue.

Yesterday I saw a small 3 or 4 year old at the conservation ramp by herself with her parents in the car and 4 generators running, she was down touching the water, If she had went in that would have been that.

I was on the water patrol for 5 years and you cannot believe the stupid things people do. You cannot be responsible for others, you must take responsibility for yourself.

I am extremely sorry for the poor fellow plight and would have helped him in a minute if I had been there, but I am not responsible for his actions. And nither is Brian.

[griffin]

Brian - since you have restated that you think the guy should have gotten a ticket......I'd like to know for what??

From your post, you had every opportunity to warn the guy and even help him get off the island before the situation got out of hand.....I'd say you deserve a ticket more then he does. The water wouldn't have had to be shut down if you weren't so busy being a smart guy.

And the MDC/Water Patrol wasn't late....they got there when they were called....what was late was the call for help from someone who knew the situation was going to get dangerous for the guy on the island.

I spend alot of time on the Missouri and Mississippi river in the winter....alot of times when those rivers are at flood stage....those of us out there count on each other for help if we get in trouble.....and there's a 1000 ways for it to happen, and no one laughs, because it ain't funny.

I'm glad I've never met anyone like you out on those rivers....we don't need you.

griffin

[Phil Lilley]

I think this has gotten totally out of hand. There's alot of assumptions here- may be 100% assumptions.

One thing- was the guy on the island above rebar? I think that's the only island up there. If he was on the island- he was in no danger! Even at 4 units full the island does not go under water. They have not ran 4 units full in over 12 months... not even the last 2 days. So if he was on the island, he was never in danger. Correct me if I'm wrong- Brian? Someone? Or was he someplace else?

I have been at the rebar at rebar hole when the water rises. I stayed too long after the horn blew- may be 15-20 years ago- and it's scary. I looked towards #3 and it was nothing but rushing water all the way over. I almost panicked, but didn't. I started walking and ended up getting across at the bottom of big hole- I'd walked at an angle downstream with the current. So was he there?

If he was, there was nothing Brian could have done except yell at the guy. There's no way anyone goes after a person at that distance with water coming on... not on foot.

So when do you yell? A minute after the horn blows? Two minutes? When the water rises over the bar behind him- by then it may be too late... he may not here because of the sound of the water. Others probably were fishing close to him- should they have told him to get out as they started walking? In most cases, no one would I bet. Everyone assumes the next guy has the common sense to get out. But here you have one in a hundred- a thousand.

My point is everyone who has assumed stories and given imaginary tickets should take step back and be objective about this. I want to know details about the incident before making any judgment and then in judging, me on the soft side because I know I have probably done just as bad- hesitated and even made bad decisions in similar cases.

Last- what you say on these boards can't be taken back. I've learned this the hard way. It's easy to throw harsh words around behind fake names but typed words, just like spoken words, build up and tear down. Yes this is an open discussion- that's great. Let's keep it a great thing.

[stone9-7=2]

You know what at least the guy is alive & live's to fish agin,& that's what matter's enough already.

Do you really know what you would have done until you are in that situation.

9-7=2

[Guest lbt]

I have made no assumptions only going on what Brian said thats why I quoted him. I think that there are quite a few people that will agree with me they just won't say so. I will not be quite I was okay untill Brian said the man should get a ticket, I would like to know for what. One more Item, how could the water patrol and the MDC show up late did'nt they show when they were called. Last time I checked they don't have acess to the ESP program.

lbt