Game wardens with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks took part in Operation Dry Water over the July 4th weekend. The nationwide law enforcement effort aimed to prevent boating under the influence (BUI).
Game wardens patrolled Kansas lakes, rivers, and reservoirs, targeting impaired boat operators and safety violations.
The weekend’s operation led to the arrest of two individuals for boating under the influence, one DUI arrest, along with another individual who was the subject of a felony arrest warrant.
In total, game wardens issued 39 boating violation citations and 80 boating violation warnings. Numerous other warnings and citations were issued for fishing, boating, and other public land violations.
Only one boat accident was reported over the weekend there were no injuries. Game wardens also assisted 30 stranded boats and completed six search and rescue missions.
Alcohol consumption is the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents; and, the U.S. Coast Guard Recreational Boating Statistics for 2021 lists it as the leading factor in 16 percent of all boating-related deaths.
If you suspect that someone is driving or boating under the influence on a publicly-managed property, contact a KDWP game warden nearest you by visiting https://ksoutdoors.com/KDWP-Info/Locations/County-Information.
For more on the KDWP Law Enforcement Division, visit https://ksoutdoors.com/Services/Law-Enforcement.
