At approximately 10:00amCT on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, Russell County Search & Rescue was dispatched to the river side (below the Dam) for a vessel dangerously close to a life-threatening situation. Two fishermen had drifted too near the Dam and were being pulled toward the turbulent discharge area. With water flooding into their boat and no power to overcome the current, the situation escalated quickly.

Thanks to the swift coordination between multiple agencies, this incident didn’t become a tragedy. Those agencies include:

• Russell County Dispatch (activated the call and kept communications flowing)
• Russell County Emergency Management &
• Russell County EMS

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers once again took critical action by temporarily shutting down water flow, allowing the fishermen to escape the danger zone. A Russell Co. Search & Rescue marine unit met the boat midstream, transferred both men to safety, and secured their vessel for transport back to the ramp.

This serves as a vital reminder: Always remain at least 500 feet away from the dam. Conditions can change in seconds — and quick action is what prevents disaster!