Man drowns at Millsite State Park

Search and rescue operations were made more difficult by Utah’s drought effects on the reservoir.

A 42-year-old Las Vegas man drowned Friday afternoon at Millsite State Park in Emery County.

According to a news release from the Emery County Sheriff’s Office, dispatch received a call around 2:15 p.m. from a woman who said her husband had fallen off a paddle board and she could no longer see him. The man was last seen about 30 yards from shore.

Due to the drought, the reservoir is at a “very low level,” the news release stated, with the boat dock closed, “making it impossible to launch search and rescue boats.”

Responders from Utah State Parks, the sheriff’s office, local residents and Emery County Search and Rescue assisted in the search using small boats and kayaks, along with swimming. The man’s body was found at 4:05 p.m. in an area about eight feet deep. He was not wearing a life jacket.

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Man drowns at Millsite State Park

Search and rescue operations were made more difficult by Utah’s drought effects on the reservoir.

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