As the weather continues to heat up and area families look for ways to stay cool while having fun, they may turn to one of Iowa’s many lakes, rivers or beaches. Enjoying time on and in the water is a common summertime activity for many and with the long holiday weekend coming up, the state’s water locations will likely see a large influx of people.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources does not want to put a damper to holiday celebrations but reminds boaters and swimmers alike, to avoid alcohol and drugs to ensure everyone’s safety on Iowa waters.
State, local and federal agencies will be enforcing Operation Dry Water, July 4-6, which is a national campaign to reduce the number of alcohol and drug-related accidents and fatalities on the water. The ODW Campaign is an effort to deter impaired boating and enforce Iowa’s boating while intoxicated (BWI) laws. Boaters are reminded to stay sober and alert, always wear a life jacket, and take a boating safety education course.
“One-third of all boating fatalities involved alcohol,†said Susan Stocker, boating law administrator and education coordinator for the Iowa DNR. “Many of those victims were innocent bystanders.â€
Stocker added that the effects of alcohol, drugs and some medications can be intensified when combined with sun, wind and wave action. “Together we can save lives,†she said.
In 2024, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and its partners contacted more than 1,296 vessels containing 5,015 boaters resulting in 477 citations or warnings as part of Operation Dry Water.
The DNR has partnered with the U.S. Coast Guard, the Army Corps of Engineers, and local police and sheriff’s departments as part of previous Operation Dry Water campaigns.
Persons planning to go to the beach may also want to check the DNR’s beach monitoring website: to make sure the area is safe for swimming. The beaches are monitored, and status is updated each week for E. coli and other contaminants. Currently, Backbone Beach in Backbone State Park is classified as vulnerable and swimming is not recommended. The report states the testing result exceeds the single sample and five sample Geomean stand for E. coli.
