Safety is paramount in everything done in the Corps of Engineers, whether that is repelling down a miter gate leaf at Locks 27 to inspect for stress fractures or metal fatigue or whether it’s providing safety to the public and minimizing risk through flood protection projects.  Another opportunity and mandate the Corps has is to stress the importance of safety to the public is through the District’s water safety program.

Through our lakes projects and their partners in the community, the Corps has the unique opportunity to reach out to the general public and educate them on the importance of water safety and how they can enjoy water-related recreation activities at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers facilities safely.  This spring, the St. Louis District was recognized twice for their efforts to do just this, both regionally and locally in the St. Louis market.

At the International Boating and Water Safety Summit, held at Daytona Beach, Fla., on March 28-31, the St. Louis District was awarded the Regional Water Safety Award by the National Water Safety Congress. 

Each year the National Water Safety Congress (NWSC) presents awards at the annual International Boating and Water Safety Summit to selected individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to water safety during the previous year.  Recognition of those who contribute substantially to water safety is encouraged to further promote water and boating safety, helping to reduce the number of drowning and boating accidents now occurring each year.

“The Regional Award is a tough one to get, they don’t have to award one every year,” explains Lynda Nutt, Manager, HQUSACE National Operations Center for Water Safety.  “I’ve been working with the St. Louis District for several years and they’ve always been very proactive and worked to engage the public at every opportunity.”

At the southern end of the District on the Missouri side of the Mississippi River, Wappapello Lake was also awarded first and second places for their public service announcements.  One was titled “Winners Wear Life Jackets”, while the other was called “It Only Takes 10 Seconds to Buckle Up.” They also took home second place for a tray liner entitled “Safety Rocks” through a partnership with a McDonalds in Poplar Bluff.

At the water safety summit, Lake Shelbyville’s Water Safety Task Force received the Award of Merit for their water safety efforts and partnerships.  Such initiatives that led to this award ranged from water safety hopscotch messages on sidewalks at beaches, to “Wear It” vehicle magnets, to a billboard campaign with Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Outdoor Illinois Advertisers.

Locally, the District’s Water Safety Team also beat out an Air National Guard unit and other government entities for the Greater St. Louis Federal Executive Board’s Public Safety award for Team Excellence.

“This was truly a team effort, not just the efforts of one or two of our projects,” said Dennis Fenske, Assistant Chief of the District’s Operations Division.  “From one end of the District to the other, our water safety team continues to take the lead with unique and effective initiatives.”

For example, Mark Twain Lake formed a partnership with G.C. Potterfield Trucking out of Monroe City, Mo., to transmit their message.  Potterfield covers territory from the Rocky Mountains to the East Coast.  On the sides of 40 of their white, 53-foot trailers are large, blue decals delivering a simple message:  “Life Jacket… Good.  Drowning… Bad.  Mark Twain Lake.”

Elsewhere, Carlyle Lake used their “I Got Caught” campaign to educate and reward lake patrons for wearing their life vests.  During the campaign that runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day, park rangers promote wearing life jackets by handing out t-shirts that say “I Got Caught Wearing My Life Jacket” and coupon for a treat at the local Dairy Queen.

In addition to normal water safety initiatives, the outreach team at Rend Lake in southern Illinois partnered with a local hospital to provide water safety training to employees and their families as well as provide water safety games at a family picnic for the hospital.

The District’s Rivers Project Office at the Migratory Bird Sanctuary in West Alton, Mo., continues to partner with other federal and state agencies, and local non-profit organizations of the Mississippi River Water Trail, promoting water safety on the nation’s largest river and how to operate safely with the large, commercial tows that travel up and down the river.  Park rangers also make frequent visits to schools and participate in community events to deliver their water safety message.  One such tool that’s always a hit with the younger crowd is Fisher, the robotic pelican that rides on a mock-up of a jet ski and talks to children.

Safety in general and water safety in particular remains a top priority throughout the District and the Corps. 

As stewards of our Nation’s water resources, the Corps wants visitors to have a fun and enjoyable experience, but, at the same time, the public must understand that water recreation must be taken seriously.  It has been said that water can nurture the body and give you life, but, if you’re not careful, it can take it away just as quickly.

Susan Wilson (left), a project manager with the St. Louis District, watches as her daughter, Kaitlin, of 17 months, and Mae Palmer's granddaughter, Khamaury Fox, eight-years-old, listen to Fisher, the District's robotic water safety pelican, talk about water safety during the District's annual picnic in June 2009.

Wappapello Lake's tray liner which they partnered with a McDonald's in Poplar Bluff, Mo.

Jackie Gilmore at Lake Shelbyville's Lithia Springs Beach and Seamoor, the Water Safety Serpent, hand out information on the importance of water safety and how to have a fun and memorable experience at the lake's recreation areas..