Terrifying Video Demonstrates the Hazard of Low-Head Dams

Published
June 22, 2026
Outcome
Injured
Location
Missouri
Lake Springfield dam
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Incident type
Drowning, Boating

Summary

Drowning Missouri Today in Missouri: A family of four floated over the Lake Springfield dam in Phelps County, Missouri, in a kayak and two inflatable tubes and became trapped in the hydraulic below the spillway. First responders attempted a rescue, during which a rigid inflatable rescue boat was pulled into the boil beneath the spillway, and multiple first responders were hospitalized with injuries. Springfield Fire Chief David Pennington told the Daily Citizen that crews recovered the body of a 17-year-old girl on Tuesday and her 19-year-old sister on Wednesday, three days after the accident.

Publicly reported parties

Name Role Status
family member Unknown Unknown
first responders Unknown Hospitalized
Lake Springfield dam operator Unknown Unknown

Original reporting

Terrifying Video Demonstrates the Hazard of Low-Head Dams

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