BASED ON INFORMATION TO DATE:   On 11-21-2009 four adult men and one juvenile male from Dalton Ga. were fishing below Nickajack Dam. They were near the long wingwall area between the lock and the floodgates. After untying the boat from the calm side of the wingwall to move location, the boat went around to the floodgate side. All 10 floodgates were open and spilling water at this time and the water current was very strong. The boat was forced against the wall. The operator, P1 , attempted to turn the boat to the right while moving foward. The boat continued up the wall closer to the floodgates. At some point,  the motor stopped running, and the boat was pulled by the current into the floodgate area. The boat was spun around, and the back of the boat was pulled under the water .The five fishermen were ejected into the water. All five of the fishermen were said to have there pfd's on. Two of the fishermen, who were brothers, floated down river together for about a half mile before being rescued by other fishermen that heard them yelling for help. The other three fishermen have not been located at this time. The boat was broken into several small parts and some have been located as far down river as 8-10 miles.
JASPER                        