Tips For Safe Boating

When the lake looks like this – you should be off the water!

National Safe Boating Week (May 22-28, 2021) is a good time to review some tips that will help keep you safe at Lake McConaughy and Lake Ogallala.

• Keep an eye on the weather. Storms can pop up VERY quickly in Nebraska.  Check the weather in advance and monitor it during the day.  Be ready to head for shore and take shelter when storm clouds start to gather. A reminder from Keith County Emergency Management: anyone may sign up to receive local weather alerts from CodeRED, a FREE emergency notification system: https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/en-US/BF7D2D0CF0FD
• Don’t operate the boat under the influence of alcohol. Boating Under the Influence is a criminal violation and is enforced actively.
• Have a life jacket for each person on board (children under 13 must wear one).  Life jackets save lives!
• Make sure the legal boating operator has completed the Nebraska boating safety course if necessary.

Please don’t take water safety for granted.  The Keith County Visitors Committee wants you to have a safe and enjoyable visit to our beautiful lakes.  Read more on safe boating from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission here: https://fal.cn/3fAGW.

Photo credit:  Thanks to Blanca Gonzalez