RedactedNarrative: According to witness statements and video evidence, on Monday May 30th, 2016 at approximately 12:00 pm, Subject#1, Subject#2, Subject#3 & Subject#4 were kayaking on Squaw Creek through the city of Ames.  Upon reaching the low head dam located at the Lincoln Way Bridge all individuals decided to operate their vessels over the low head dam and continue down Squaw Creek.  Subject#4 operated his kayak over the low head dam and was able 2 make it over & safely continue downstream. Subject#1 operated his kayak over the low head dam and was not able to safely navigate the obstacle.  Subject#1 stated after going over the dam, his kayak flooded and completely filled with water.  Subject#1 stated he was not able to maneuver the kayak away from the dam.  Subject#1 stated his kayak turned "sideways" or parallel with the dam and the current created by the dam forced him into the water falling over the dam causing his kayak to capsize. Subject#1 stated when his kayak capsized he was separated from his kayak and fell into the water.  According to Subject#1, after entering the water he was trapped in the current or "boil" created by the low head dam and was not able to swim downstream away from the dam.
  
  Subject#2 observed that Subject#1 was in distress and operated his kayak over the dam, in an attempt to rescue Subject#1. Subject#2 stated after going over the dam his kayak flooded and was completely filled with water. Subject#2 stated he was able to maneuver the kayak and reached Subject#1.  He stated that after reaching Subject#1, his kayak was parallel with the face of the dam and difficult to maneuver, due to flooding. Subject#2 attempted to pull Subject#1 onto his kayak, was unsuccessful and his kayak capsized.  Subject#2 stated when the vessel capsized he was separated from the kayak and fell into the water.
  
  According to their statements, both men were trapped in the current or "boil" created by the dam.  Both men stated they repeatedly attempted to swim downstream but could not overcome the power of the current.  They stated the current would force them back into the face of the dam and under water in a "rolling type motion". Both men stated they were repeatedly forced and held underwater by the power of the current.  Subject#1 stated that he quickly became exhausted and could no longer swim or attempt to stay on the surface of the water.  Subject#1 stated upon reaching exhaustion, the current pulled him under the water and to the bottom of the stream.  He felt as if he was under water for approximately 15-20 seconds before surfacing. When he surfaced for the last time, he was no longer trapped in the current and was floating downstream.  He does not know what caused him to escape the dam boil and make it downstream.
  
  According to Subject#2, he observed Subject#1 floating downstream and realized it was possible to escape the rolling current.  Subject#2 described when the current would force him under water he was repeatedly forced to the bottom of the stream.  Once there, Subject#2 described that he would kick off the bottom towards the surface only to surface at the face of the dam, still trapped in the current. Subject#2 stated after observing Subject#1, the next time the current forced him to the bottom of the stream he kicked hard on the bottom away from the dam.  Subject#2 stated when he surfaced he was floating downstream away from the dam.  Once downstream both men were able to reach shore, were conscious, able to speak but were so exhausted they were not able to move.  Both men exhibited signs of possible shock & were transported to Mary Greeley Medical Center.
  
  Subject#4, Subject#1, & Subject#2 were experienced kayakers and knew the area well.  Subject#3 was on his first ever kayak outing.  All three stated they all had operated a kayak over low head dams on multiple occasions, prior to the incident.  They never realized the danger of hazard of operating a kayak over a low head dam, prior to the incident.  All individuals were wearing life jackets
  