Havasu/Parker accident statistics

[unleashed]

Ok. I've seen alot of doom and gloom on these boards recently about the river and how bad it is now. Is there anyone(Perhaps Boatcop)that has statistics from the past 30 years on deaths and accidents on these waterways. Has it really gotten worse or does it seem worse due to the internet and information highway??
Deano
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[unleashed]

ahhh..ANYONE?? hahahaaha...Im to stupid to find them.
Deano
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[Boatcop]

I can't speak specifically for Lake Havasu, but in La Paz County (South basin Lake Havasu, Parker Strip, and South to the Yuma County line) we are down, when compared to the past.
From 1988, when I started with La Paz, until 2004 we averaged between 18-22 reportable accidents in the County. And the most fatal accidents we had in a year was 2, with most of those years having none.
Last year (2006) we had 10 accidents. 1 fatal, (in the Cibola area, 30 miles South of Blythe) 16 in 2005 (0 fatals) 17 in 2004 (2 fatals).
Lake Havasu had 59 accidents and 1 fatal in 2006.
Areas classified as "The Colorado River" had 82 accidents and 3 fatals. Now that is everywhere on the River that isn't regarded a "Lake", and could be anywhere including the Topock Gorge, Bullhead City, Grand Canyon, and anything south of Parker Dam.
Going back to the 1970s and early '80s, 50-60 accidents and up to 15 deaths a year were common on the Parker Strip.
Those figures (Except for La Paz County) are just the accidents reported to Arizona Authorities. accidents reported and Investigated by California (or Nevada) Agencies would probably increase the numbers significantly.
The accidents in La Paz County are from all records, both CA and AZ.

[unleashed]

I can't speak specifically for Lake Havasu, but in La Paz County (South basin Lake Havasu, Parker Strip, and South to the Yuma County line) we are down, when compared to the past.
From 1988, when I started with La Paz, until 2004 we averaged between 18-22 reportable accidents in the County. And the most fatal accidents we had in a year was 2, with most of those years having none.
Last year (2006) we had 10 accidents. 1 fatal, (in the Cibola area, 30 miles South of Blythe) 16 in 2005 (0 fatals) 17 in 2004 (2 fatals).
Lake Havasu had 59 accidents and 1 fatal in 2006.
Areas classified as "The Colorado River" had 82 accidents and 3 fatals. Now that is everywhere on the River that isn't regarded a "Lake", and could be anywhere including the Topock Gorge, Bullhead City, Grand Canyon, and anything south of Parker Dam.
Going back to the 1970s and early '80s, 50-60 accidents and up to 15 deaths a year were common on the Parker Strip.
Those figures (Except for La Paz County) are just the accidents reported to Arizona Authorities. accidents reported and Investigated by California (or Nevada) Agencies would probably increase the numbers significantly.
The accidents in La Paz County are from all records, both CA and AZ.
Thanks for the info...its greatly appreciated.
Deano
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[My Man's Sportin' Wood]

That's interesting, Alan. I would assume that use is up also. If that is true, then the ratio is even lower in comparison. Or do you think use is the same? From my experience, Mohave use is way higher than it was 20-30 years ago. We didn't go to Parker or Havasu when I was a kid, so I can't compare them.

[Boatcop]

That's interesting, Alan. I would assume that use is up also. If that is true, then the ratio is even lower in comparison. Or do you think use is the same? From my experience, Mohave use is way higher than it was 20-30 years ago. We didn't go to Parker or Havasu when I was a kid, so I can't compare them.
Arizona does a Statewide Watercraft Report every 3 years. 2006 was the last one done. It records use by what we call "Boat Use days". A Boat Use Day is 1 boat on a certain waterway on 1 day.
That same boat on the waterway for 2 days = 2 boat use days.
2 boats on that waterway for 1 day = 2 boat use days.
Same 2 boats on the waterway for 2 days - 4 boat use days.
Got it?
I'll have to dig back in my files for historical data, but for 2006 the following waterways in Arizona had the following boat use days: (only took the top 6)
Lake Havasu- 1,926,792
Lake Mohave- 887,775
Parker Strip- 630,427
Lake Mead- 608,526
Lake Powell- 557,310
Pleasant- 534,347
I do know that the Parker numbers are at least 2-3 times what they were in 1994.
There aren't records back to the 1970s, since the survey was begun in the early 1990s. But back then, the Strip was THE place to be. When I was out here with the Coast Guard 1978-1981, Havasu was the laid-back family boating spot and the Strip was the wild world.
When the flood of 1983 closed the Strip for the entire summer, the rowdies found Lake Havasu, Copper Canyon, Sandbar, etc. and the demographics changed. Parker got more laid back and Havasu became the hot spot.
Parker pretty much stayed that way until the Casino opened, and now the party crowd is split between the 2.
It was also between 1995 and now that we've really stepped up our enforcement presence. We went from 2 boats to 4. Expanded our patrol times on the water, and have a higher profile.
While some people may gripe about our emphasis on OUI enforcement and arrests and Reckless Operation stance, we feel that it's made a difference. We don't care if people drive sober because it's the right thing to do or they're afraid of getting arrested and being subject to heavy fines.
When you look at the boat use for lakes like Mead, Mohave, Powell and Pleasant compared to us, it doesn't mean that much. Until you consider the size of those lakes and then look at the 12 mile long, 100 yard wide drainage ditch that the Strip is.

[westair]

Ok. I've seen alot of doom and gloom on these boards recently about the river and how bad it is now. Is there anyone(Perhaps Boatcop)that has statistics from the past 30 years on deaths and accidents on these waterways. Has it really gotten worse or does it seem worse due to the internet and information highway??
Deano
UnleashedHardcoreApparel (http://www.unleashedclothing.com)
Unleashedmyspace (http://www.myspace.com/unleashedhardcore)
Its gotta be way more dangerous driving to these places than actually being on the water.

[Havasu_Dreamin]

Arizona does a Statewide Watercraft Report every 3 years. 2006 was the last one done. It records use by what we call "Boat Use days". A Boat Use Day is 1 boat on a certain waterway on 1 day.
That same boat on the waterway for 2 days = 2 boat use days.
2 boats on that waterway for 1 day = 2 boat use days.
Same 2 boats on the waterway for 2 days - 4 boat use days.
Got it?
I'll have to dig back in my files for historical data, but for 2006 the following waterways in Arizona had the following boat use days: (only took the top 6)
Lake Havasu- 1,926,792
Lake Mohave- 887,775
Parker Strip- 630,427
Lake Mead- 608,526
Lake Powell- 557,310
Pleasant- 534,347
I do know that the Parker numbers are at least 2-3 times what they were in 1994.
There aren't records back to the 1970s, since the survey was begun in the early 1990s. But back then, the Strip was THE place to be. When I was out here with the Coast Guard 1978-1981, Havasu was the laid-back family boating spot and the Strip was the wild world.
When the flood of 1983 closed the Strip for the entire summer, the rowdies found Lake Havasu, Copper Canyon, Sandbar, etc. and the demographics changed. Parker got more laid back and Havasu became the hot spot.
Parker pretty much stayed that way until the Casino opened, and now the party crowd is split between the 2.
It was also between 1995 and now that we've really stepped up our enforcement presence. We went from 2 boats to 4. Expanded our patrol times on the water, and have a higher profile.
While some people may gripe about our emphasis on OUI enforcement and arrests and Reckless Operation stance, we feel that it's made a difference. We don't care if people drive sober because it's the right thing to do or they're afraid of getting arrested and being subject to heavy fines.
When you look at the boat use for lakes like Mead, Mohave, Powell and Pleasant compared to us, it doesn't mean that much. Until you consider the size of those lakes and then look at the 12 mile long, 100 yard wide drainage ditch that the Strip is.
1 million more boat days on Havasu compared to the next closest, amazing.....
Any pictures from '83, the flood and its aftermath?

[Boatcop]

1 million more boat days on Havasu compared to the next closest, amazing.....
Any pictures from '83, the flood and its aftermath?
I stole these from RiverRatMike's Page.
http://www.boatcop.com/pdam1.jpg
http://www.boatcop.com/pdam4.jpg
I have some pictures in a box somewhere that show the cabanas at Moonridge with the water about a foot under the canopy tops. Same with River Lodge and Riverland.
The Keys were sandbagged but most of the homes on the Riverfront were still flooded under about 4-6 feet of water.
That was a tough time for us, since we had just formed as a County on January 1st, 1983 We lost a whole year of tourist and recreation revenue. It took probably 5-6 years after that for the area to recover financially.

[squirt'nmyload]

When you look at the boat use for lakes like Mead, Mohave, Powell and Pleasant compared to us, it doesn't mean that much. Until you consider the size of those lakes and then look at the 12 mile long, 100 yard wide drainage ditch that the Strip is.
thats what i was thinking.......that is CRAZY :jawdrop:

[HOOTER SLED-]

I can't speak specifically for Lake Havasu, but in La Paz County (South basin Lake Havasu, Parker Strip, and South to the Yuma County line) we are down, when compared to the past.
From 1988, when I started with La Paz, until 2004 we averaged between 18-22 reportable accidents in the County. And the most fatal accidents we had in a year was 2, with most of those years having none.
Last year (2006) we had 10 accidents. 1 fatal, (in the Cibola area, 30 miles South of Blythe) 16 in 2005 (0 fatals) 17 in 2004 (2 fatals).
Lake Havasu had 59 accidents and 1 fatal in 2006.
Areas classified as "The Colorado River" had 82 accidents and 3 fatals. Now that is everywhere on the River that isn't regarded a "Lake", and could be anywhere including the Topock Gorge, Bullhead City, Grand Canyon, and anything south of Parker Dam.
Going back to the 1970s and early '80s, 50-60 accidents and up to 15 deaths a year were common on the Parker Strip.
Those figures (Except for La Paz County) are just the accidents reported to Arizona Authorities. accidents reported and Investigated by California (or Nevada) Agencies would probably increase the numbers significantly.
The accidents in La Paz County are from all records, both CA and AZ.
Wow. I'm wondering why so high back then. Perhaps smaller flat bottom boats back then? Less enforcement on drinking and driving? Hmmm? Interesting stuff. It's sad to hear all these stories. But I honestly think that the news and info is just in our face more than it was in the past. Between the Internet and the media being more willing to exploit these stories of tradgedy, I would think the amount of incidents are still probably within the same percentage range.

[No Name]

I stole these from RiverRatMike's Page.
http://www.boatcop.com/pdam1.jpg
http://www.boatcop.com/pdam4.jpg
I have some pictures in a box somewhere that show the cabanas at Moonridge with the water about a foot under the canopy tops. Same with River Lodge and Riverland.
The Keys were sandbagged but most of the homes on the Riverfront were still flooded under about 4-6 feet of water.
That was a tough time for us, since we had just formed as a County on January 1st, 1983 We lost a whole year of tourist and recreation revenue. It took probably 5-6 years after that for the area to recover financially.
http://www.angelfire.com/ca/mineryhomepage/images/pdam5.jpg

[RiverToysJas]

:idea: So Boatcop......(watch this everyone ;) ).......would you say that the statistics show that since RiverDave has been coming to the Parker Strip on his own, that the Strip is a safer place w/ fewer accidents?
A simple yes or no will do. :D
RTJas :D

[Boatcop]

Wow. I'm wondering why so high back then. Perhaps smaller flat bottom boats back then? Less enforcement on drinking and driving? Hmmm? Interesting stuff. It's sad to hear all these stories. But I honestly think that the news and info is just in our face more than it was in the past. Between the Internet and the media being more willing to exploit these stories of tradgedy, I would think the amount of incidents are still probably within the same percentage range.
A lot of it had to do with minimal Sate enforcement, and lack of training for State/County Officers. The only real enforcement was from the Coast Guard Boating Safety Detachments. Although we (USCG) had the best training offered at the time (8 weeks National Boating Safety School) there wasn't much available for the Cvilian Officers.
We had 3 CG boats and 5 Officers to patrol from Bullhead to Yuma and Lake Powell. 1 boat and 3 guys each on Mead and Mohave. And except for Parker, they were only out here from Memorial Day-Labor Day and Easter week.
Back then, Yuma County SO here in Parker had 1 boat, with 2 guys that would patrol on weekends. One of those guys is now our Sheriff, which is why we have such an emphasis on our Boating program.
Now there are 5 of us full time, 4 seasonal Officers and 4 boats.
A lot of our deaths, back in those days, were from water-skiers spraying people on tubes, docks etc. and misjudging the distance, running into docks. I had to investigate a fatality in 1978 were a skier was trying to spray people on the concrete dock at the Riverside Casino. They were waiting for the ferry, and he slid out and cracked his head open on the dock. We haven't had a lot of that going on now. PWCs have taken over those duties.
Add in the drinking age of 19 in AZ back then, and there were a lot of Californians (drinking age 21) partying that weren't used to the effects of alcohol. There weren't any Federal Laws against drunk boating back then. All we could do was cite them for Negligent Operation. ($300 dollar fine) And a lot of those were thrown out, since there wasn't any way for us to measure intoxication levels.
As far as percentages, I would guess that the Boat Use Days (described above) were around 200,000. Now with 50-60 accidents that was a pretty high percentage. Today with over 600,000 Boat Use Days and only 10accidents last year, we've dropped that percentage substantially.

[squirt'nmyload]

There weren't any Federal Laws against drunk boating back then. All we could do was cite them for Negligent Operation. ($300 dollar fine) And a lot of those were thrown out, since there wasn't any way for us to measure intoxication levels..
ahhhhhhhh....those were the days
:D :D :D

[boatnam2]

It was way more crazy back in the day and im sure way more deaths per boat use as bc has described.Only thing now is the internet so everyone knows about every little drama from the weekend from someone getting there boat scratched to someone dying.Tell you the truth with the crowds anymore im suprised you dont see more deadly accidents.

[boatnam2]

My best freinds parents had a house just below foxes that was are hang out in 83,they got lucky his dad owned a big construction company and built the whole first floor out of block which held up pretty good i think it was about 3or 4 feet high of water in the first floor.

[shueman]

'83 Flood picture from a friend.Their property is on Dike Road, just north of the Needles Bridge. Water is 16'-20' deep...picture is looking over to the Cali side. :eek:
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/176183-Flood-Woody1.jpg

[mbrown2]

Way more dangerous back in the late 70's and early 80's with less boats.....
Flatbottom and Jet Drags in front of Sundance after it closed at 1am....no nothing dangerous there...and then the boats trying to cross the river to get in another hour of drinking till 2am on the Cali side and then a couple more passes after 2am....nope nothing dangerous there..:)
Used to ride a stand up when I was 8 at the time and learned very quickly to look both ways, and then even then had some close calls between Big Bend and Roadrunner....just a lot of hi speed passes from river boats at all times of day..
Times, education and laws were different then....remember the dads in the neighborhood going through a case of beers just getting the campers ready for the ride out to the river let alone tossing a couple back when you got there.

[unleashed]

Great Thread. Im very encouraged by the statistics. With the internet you would think the world was ending every weekend. :rolleyes:
Seems that education and policing are working for the most part on our waterways.
Deano
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[Trailer Park Casanova]

We go out all the time and rarely feel it's unsafe.
The big ocean going cigs often seem to give no quarter or courtesy to anyone but ya don't see many of those, and from time to time some PWC's won't leave us alone - but most do.
Overall it feels much safer than back in the 70's.
Far far more flatbottoms with teriffic laquer paint jobs racing each other up and down the strip in those days.
My daughter has the most awesome video tape taken by her uncle in 1962.
It was filmed in 8mm with a high quality German camera & lens and is a run from Bluewater to the dam.
Stopping only to change film reels.
Later that day he flipped the boat with 5 aboard, and has since never been back to "Blood Alley" as he calls it.
http://www.usbr.gov/dataweb/dams/images/Parker.jpg

[unleashed]

We go out all the time and rarely feel it's unsafe.
The big ocean going cigs often seem to give no quarter or courtesy to anyone but ya don't see many of those, and from time to time some PWC's won't leave us alone - but most do.
Overall it feels much safer than back in the 70's.
Far far more flatbottoms with teriffic laquer paint jobs racing each other up and down the strip in those days.
My daughter has the most awesome video tape taken by her uncle in 1962.
It was filmed in 8mm with a high quality German camera & lens and is a run from Bluewater to the dam.
Stopping only to change film reels.
Later that day he flipped the boat with 5 aboard, and has since never been back to "Blood Alley" as he calls it.
http://www.usbr.gov/dataweb/dams/images/Parker.jpg
Lets see the video.
Deano
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[SB]

Its gotta be way more dangerous driving to these places than actually being on the water.
I bet it is. It's more dangerous to drive than to skydive, surf, etc.
I bet lifejacket use is way up now from 30 years ago.
The boats are probably a little more dependable (and possibly safer) now, my dad tells me he used to look out across the water and see guys working on their boats all the time.

[Trailer Park Casanova]

Lets see the video.
Deano
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When she starts talking to me again I'll ask her to put it on You Tube.