RedactedNarrative: This report documents a watercraft accident that occurred on the Kankakee River (South Side of the Kankakee Dam) 41.11277 Latitude and 87.86778 Longitude.  On 5/7/2020 at approximately 2:00 P.M.  The watercraft accident was investigated by I, CPO.  According to NOAA the Kankakee River on 5/7/2020 was in the action stage. Action is the stage which, when reached by a rising stream, represents the level where the NWS or a partner/user needs to take some type of mitigation action in preparation for possible significant hydro-logic activity. The type of action taken varies for each gage location.  The flow of the Kankakee River was 3.2 Thousand Cubic Feet Per Second (KCFS).  The water temperature of the Kankakee River was approximately 54 Degrees and the air temperature was approximately 57 Degrees.   
   
       A silver 15ft Fischer Marine "Rover" (IL 5711 JL) watercraft was anchored in close proximity to the South Side Of the Kankakee Dam, near the Hydro Electric Plant in Kankakee, IL when the incident occurred.  Witnesses who were bank fishing on the South Side of the dam stated that the watercraft was anchored and fishing near the dam between 20-40 minutes before the accident occurred.  There are two signs posted on the West Side of the McBroom Bridge just downstream of the Dam that clearly state "Danger Dam".  
  
  Witnesses advised that the watercraft was occupied by two African American males who were not wearing life preservers.  Two witnesses who were bank fishing on the South Side of the Kankakee Dam, stated that they observed the watercraft anchor closely to the south side of the Kankakee Dam.  One witness stated that he observed the boat get pushed slightly downstream of the boil within his line of sight. 
  
  Shortly after, he observed the operator of the watercraft cut the watercraft anchor line with a knife, the watercraft was then spun around and sucked back in towards the boil.  At this time, Witness1 observed one of the occupants and the overturned watercraft being pushed downstream from the Dam.  The second witness was in the same area as Witness1 and also stated that he saw the operator cut the anchor line.  
  
  Shortly after, he observed the overturned watercraft and both men floating downstream after the watercraft was overturned.  The overturned watercraft was pushed approximately 1/4 mile downstream and became lodged between several rocks and the shore.  Illinois State Police District 21 completed a tow sheet and utilized Beaupre''s towing to remove the watercraft from the river.  The registration on the watercraft was IL5711JL which came back to subject2.  
  
  Just after 5:30 P.M., a 2002 Dodge pick-up truck bearing Illinois temporary plate and a boat trailer were located parked in the Bird Park Quarry boat launch area.  Kankakee City Police Department made contact with Operator''s sister and informed the family member of the possibility of operator falling victim to a watercraft accident.  A backpack was located near the scene, Kankakee City Police discovered an Illinois ID card displaying the name occupant.  Kankakee City Police made contact with Occupant'' family and spoke with his sister who was informed of the possibility of him also falling victim to the same watercraft accident.  I, CPO arrived on scene shortly after the accident occurred.  Kankakee City Fire Boat''s were on the water conducting rescue operations.  I spoke with Kankakee City Command Staff located in the Command van about the boat accident. I advised that the Illinois Conservation Police had two boats, three additional office...
  