A spokesperson with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife ("DFW") says that water levels are currently high on Kentucky lakes and dams and that, until they recede to near normal levels, boaters need to exercise even more caution than usual when out on the water.

Sadly, that assessment was readily confirmed by two separate boating accidents that occurred on state lakes last week, both on the same day.

One of those accidents resulted in the death of a 33-year-old Louisville woman who was boating with a male friend on Taylorsville Lake last Thursday when the boat hit debris and the man lost control, crashing into trees after the boat ran aground. The woman was ejected from the boat and died a day later at University Hospital in Louisville. The man did not suffer any serious injuries.

DFW Sgt. Scott Herndon says that high water was a material factor in the mishap and that swollen waters are hiding submerged debris that boaters simply cannot see.

That was the case in another accident that also occurred last Thursday on Herrington Lake, when a Louisville couple hit a submerged stump and were both thrown out of their boat. Luckily, neither person died in that accident, although the woman was cut by the boat's propeller.

Herndon has a simple message for Kentucky boaters to heed when the water level is high: Slow down and constantly scan the water. He says that boaters will have to wait several more weeks before seeing normal summer levels.

Related Resource: Wave 3, "Death on Taylorsville Lake puts emphasis on safety" June 3, 2011