Passenger 1 told Conservation Officers (CO) CO 1 and CO 2 that she and her husband, Operator, went down the river to find a spot to watch fireworks during a 4th of July celebration. Passenger 1 said they left the Birdland Marina at approximately 1500hrs and first went upriver towards Prospect Park. They then turned around and went down river toward the dam. When they got close to the Center Street Dam, Operator turned off the boat and put out anchor. The boat would not hold in the current, and Operator told Passenger 1 they needed a bigger anchor. Operator pulled up the anchor and tried to put it out again. Passenger 1 told CO's CO 1 and CO 2 that the boat began to spin as it went downstream. Operator told Passenger 1 to put her life jacket on. Passenger 1 said that Operator put on a jacket, but did not fasten it. Passenger 1 told CO's CO 1 and CO 2 that she thought Operator was trying to start the boat as it went over the dam. Passenger 1 said that Operator was thrown from the boat as it went over, and his jacket was torn off by the current. Passenger 1 was able to stay in the boat until it flooded and capsized. Passenger 1 said next remembered the rescue attempt and subsequent rescue.

When the boat was recovered, the throttle of the boat was in the neutral position and the key was turned off. The warning cable that went across the river upstream of the dam was missing.
Des Moines                    