GENOA, Wis. (WFRV) – Seven people, including a child, are safe after a harrowing incident on the Mississippi River when their boat went through a dam gate on Monday afternoon.
According to the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office, the emergency unfolded around 1:30 p.m. when authorities received a 911 call reporting that a boat with several occupants had passed through one of the gates at Lock and Dam No. 8. Some of the passengers were still in the water or on the downstream side of the dam when first responders arrived.
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Investigators say 39-year-old Brandon Kumm of La Crosse was operating the boat with six passengers onboard. The vessel’s inboard engine reportedly stalled one to two miles upriver and failed to restart as it drifted toward the dam. Passengers attempted to paddle, but the current proved too strong. Authorities noted there was no attempt to drop anchor.
As the boat entered the 600-foot safety zone upstream of the dam, staff from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers acted quickly, closing the gates in the affected area in an effort to minimize danger.
Despite the emergency, all seven individuals—none of whom were wearing life jackets—went underwater beneath the Tainter gate and resurfaced downstream.
Corps staff threw life rings to the group, who helped each other to safety atop the dam. No injuries were reported, and no one was transported to the hospital.
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“By the grace of God, no injuries were reported,” the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
Officials say higher-than-normal river levels may have created more turbulence but also more clearance under the gate, allowing the group to pass through without being pinned or injured.
The boat itself remained upright and came to rest against the gate, as designed in emergency situations. Although there were more than enough personal flotation devices onboard, none were worn at the time the occupants jumped from the vessel.
The sheriff’s office emphasized the importance of boating safety equipment, recommending not only the use of life jackets but also the availability of emergency contact numbers for nearby locks and dams. The installation of a marine radio is also advised for added safety, especially in remote areas.
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The middle of the main navigation channel at this location marks the border between Wisconsin and Minnesota. While land access to the dam is more easily reached from the Wisconsin side, the investigation is being led by the Houston County (Minnesota) Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
The incident remains under investigation.
