Grand River Dam Authority Offers Safety Tips Ahead Of Holiday Weekend

While Labor Day weekend kicks off as the last summer holiday, the Grand River Dam Authority is reminding everyone that things can turn dangerous within a matter of seconds if you aren’t paying attention. GRDA officials say they expect the lakes and rivers to be packed this year as people continue to look for ways to have fun while physically distancing.

With a packed lake, officials say this brings errors in judgment. GRDA’s Justin Alberty told News On 6 that this year, they will have several patrol units on the lakes and rivers that will be out searching for people who aren’t following the rules.

He said irresponsibly drinking alcohol while operating a boat, driving recklessly too close to others or in no-wake zones, and those that don’t have the proper equipment, like life jackets, onboard are all at risk of getting ticketed.

“It’s important to know the vessel you’re operating and know the area of the lake you’re going to be on just to be familiar with the water levels and if there are any stumps, just be careful of that,” Alberty said.

Alberty said he knows everyone hears these warnings every summer, but wants people to be aware of how serious the GRDA is about keeping people safe during these summer holiday weekends.

“You really need your senses about you when you’re on the water,” Alberty said. “We want everybody to have a good time, but when you’re out on the water all day and there’s the wave action, there is the sun beating down, a lot of other boat traffic around you, you really need your senses to operate that vessel.”

He said taking breaks while floating on the river in the shade to hydrate and eat is also important since you are slow-moving in the sun for several hours.

They are also encouraging people to remember their physical safety while being in the sun by staying hydrated and wearing sunscreen to prevent medical emergencies.