TWRA reports boating related fatality on Watts Bar Reservoir

MEIGS COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency said there was a boating related fatality over the weekend on Watts Bar Reservoir in Dayton.

The TWRA reported this in its 2024 Memorial Day Holiday Weekend Boating Report.

They said a 19-year-old man jumped out of a boat and never resurfaced Saturday night. Officials responded to the report around 9 p.m. and finally found the teen’s body shortly after 2 a.m. on Sunday.

The TWRA said officials recovered his body in 24 feet of water. They worked with local agencies using a remote operated vehicle during the search.

Officials are still investigating the incident. They have not identified the victim.

Also in the report, the TWRA said there have been eight total boating fatalities so far in 2024.

Over the weekend, there were five injury incidents across Tennessee and eight property damage incidents.

Additionally, TWRA officers made 13 boating under the influence arrests.

Just last week, the TWRA was encouraging boaters to be safe and responsible over the holiday weekend.

Local agencies also recently provided water safety tips following two fatalities on the Tennessee River.