This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Now would not be a good time to have a boating accident on Utah Lake.
Utah State Parks law enforcement officials and Utah County Search and Rescue crews said that rescues on the lake will be difficult through the remainder of the summer because Utah Lake is 48.65 percent full.
Because of the low water levels inside the lake's marinas, launching and recovering vessels has become increasingly difficult, with rescue organizations forced to use only jet boats and airboats as their primary vessels.
The situation means that while persons in trouble on the lake can be retrieved, all vessels and other property involved in accidents will remain on the lake. Owners will be required to pay any retrieval costs and be responsible for their own boats.
Utah Lake water levels are expected to drop until winter. Marinas will not be responsible for damage to vessels being used to recreate on the lake.
Boat safety experts remind boaters to let someone know where you are heading before going on to the lake, and to remember to bring lifejackets.