Army Corps, Venture Outdoor to raise water safety awareness with media paddle event

Published June 28, 2018

Paddle Safety Lock Though Event, 10 a.m., Friday, June 29 at Aspinwall Riverfront Park

 

Who:  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, Venture Outdoors and other waterways partners.

                

What: Venture Outdoors will lead a group of paddlers, invited media and meteorologists from Aspinwall Riverfront Park to Allegheny River Lock and Dam 2 near Highland Park Bridge in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Experience paddlers from Venture Outdoors will lead kayakers from the Aspinwall Riverfront Park Kayak Pittsburgh launch and paddle across the river to the lock. Army Corps lock operators will instruct the paddlers on the proper procedures for locking through. The group will lock downstream then lock through upstream and return to the launch site at the riverfront park. The event will begin with gear issue and safety briefs.

 

Army Corps will also share information about new initiatives including the River Ranger Program, new life jacket policy and other water safety awareness efforts.

 

Media:  NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. SPACE IS LIMITED. This is an availability for media and partners only. Venture Outdoors can provide personnel by request to paddle tandem kayaks should camera people and/or reporters want to shoot from the water. The tandem would be guided by an experienced paddler so the media can focus on capturing and reporting the event. The media may also shoot at the lock and at the launch.

 

RSVP: Media must provide a count of people planning to paddle so that we may have the kayaks and paddlers available to accommodate camera crews and reporters. Please indicate whether you want a tandem kayak or solo kayak. Please send an email to: CELRP-PA@usace.army.mil or call 412.395.7500 to provide RSVP information.

Where: Kayak Pittsburgh Aspinwall Riverfront Park launch, 285 River Ave., Aspinwall, PA 15215.

When:  10 a.m. – noon, Friday, June 29, 2018

 

Why:  The Army Corps, Venture Outdoors and other waterways partners seek to save lives by promoting water safety. This event will allow reporters to inform their audiences and readerships of the hazards presented by fixed-crest dams and navigation facilities in general, how to safely navigate through Army Corps lock and dam facilities, and how people can reduce the risk of injury or death while enjoying the waterways.   

 

Weather: In the case of forecasted severe weather and/or dangerous river conditions, the Army Corps will announce cancellation or postponement of the event at noon, Thursday, June 28.

 

Contact: Public Affairs Office at 412-395-7500 or Email: CELRP-PA@usace.army.mil

 

Know.Take.Wear: Know the water. Take a course. Wear your life jacket.

 

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Contact
Jeff Hawk
412-395-7500/01/02
412-713-4626 (cell)
CELRP-PA@usace.army.mil
1000 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222-4186

Release no. 18-029