DROWNING REAR REMMEL DAM

[GN YAKN]

That is wild. I didn't realize there was that strong of a pull from the flood gates below the dam. Good to know. Geez!

[Renee H]

During Rendezvous last year, a large group of us paddled from the dam to the ledge with the flow being 11,000 cfs give or take. We put in on the boat ramp and a couple of us paddled a little ways upstream to try to look at the hole. You could hardly paddle upstream in that strong of a current. The only thing I can think of for them to get that close to the hydraulic is they had to walk all the way up to the dam and put in right where hole feeds back into itself. If they were at the boat ramp and launched, I don't see how they could have paddled back up to the dam.

[Tim Eubanks]

Rarely comment on these things, however, thoughts and deepest sympathy to those kids.

Sometimes you just have to say, "The water's too high. Let's go home."

[Cowper]

There is a trail normally only used by fishermen or for nature walks that ends closer to the dam, upstream of the boat ramp. The road down to the boat ramp was closed due to the high water, I believe as part of an effort to discourage boating/swimming at these high flows. These folks probably came down the trail.

http://arkansasmatters.com/content/news ... cid=228052" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm glad to see everyone considering the feelings of the family as we attempt to learn more about this.

[J Cossey]

I was a bit confused when I got on scene because we had to break the lock on the gate to drive down the road yet there were vehicles already down there. I only saw one way in and one way out for cars. We couldnt figure out how they got in. One truck was even pulling a trailer with conoes on it.

[Cowper]

Maybe others have a key to the gate for some reason?

Whether they walked in or drove in, it is possible to launch much closer to the dam than the boat ramp that Renee couldn't paddle up from.

[Tim Eubanks]

Is there a point at which boats are forbidden? Is the utility "in charge" of safety on the river or is it left to the discretion of individuals?

[Cowper]

http://www.bretcurryphotography.com/gal ... 6308_WcSnH" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The above link has a number of photos of Remmel Dam, some taken under high flow conditions with one or more flood gates at least partially open. The signs on the dam warn about dangerous currents in the area; there is a siren and flashing light when level changes occur, but the siren would not blow continuously for a high release.

I think these photos are deceptive because they really don't show how powerful the currents are.
Edit: In the photos, I think the gates are only "cracked" open a foot or two. At wider openings, the currents would become more powerful...

[Paddlegal]

My prayers go out to those girls and their mother.

I too have paddled upstream from the boat ramp and it is a constant ferry to get up there. I never went past the fishing spots but even with only 2 gates running the current is very powerful.

I cannot imagine how they got so close unless they put in right up there near the dam.

[Jeremy M]

JONES MILL, Ark. (AP) - Officials have released the name of man who died in a kayak accident on the Ouachita River near the Remmel Dam at Jones Mill.

Hot Spring County authorities on Monday identified the victim as 55-year-old Ronnie Campbell of Benton. He died while kayaking with two of his daughters on Sunday.

Investigators say Campbell had a life vest on but it apparently was not zipped and came off when he fell into a swift current. Campbell's body was found more than a mile downstream.

Officials say one daughter had to be rescued near the dam after trying to save her father. She was wearing a life vest and was treated and released at a hospital.

Entergy Arkansas reminded users of the river that flow conditions below Remmel Dam are hazardous and said anyone on the river should wear a snug-fitting life vest.

[tsmethe]

J Cossey,

Can you e-mail me off-line at tsmethe@entergy.com?

I would be interested in getting copieds of your photos. But mostly I need to investigate how the other vehicles got around the gate so that I can correct that issue.

Thanks

Ted Smethers

[J Cossey]

Sure ill get them to u as soon as I can