A pontoon boat washed over the spillway of a reservoir into the Bear River by accident. Stillwater reservoir is in the flat tops wilderness area. This Bear River is in the upper part of the Yampa watershed. There are a lot of private ranch land and some private cabins along it. Not sure if there’s any legal access or if anyone runs it. Hugh McLaughlin says that the creek below the reservoir is definitely whitewater. The rapids the spillway are pretty steep and continuous. The man wasn't wearing a PFD. I'm not sure it would have helped.
Steamboat Radio via FB -The person who died at Bear Lake over the weekend has been identified as 46-year-old Jerry Whaley of Elbert, Colorado. Whaley is related to the Whaley family from South Routt County. A family member says they were fishing at Bear Lake.
Garfield County Coroner Robert Glassmire confirmed the cause of death was from drowning and injuries in the incident. A press release said that witnesses said it was windy and a pontoon boat went towards the spillway and Mr. Whaley was taken downstream about 350 yards from the spillway.
Assistance was provided by Routt County Search and Rescue, Yampa Fire Protection, and two members from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, along with Garfield County Search and Rescue. Our condolences to the Whaley family.
Garfield County Coroner; June 19, 2024.
Subject: Bear Lake Reservoir Death,
Rural Garfield County near Yampa, CO.
Identity of Deceased:
Jerry Whaley, 46-year-old male, resident of Elbert, CO.
On June 16, 2024, at 1:02 p.m., the Garfield County Coroner’s Office was dispatched to the area of Bear Lake Reservoir (also referred to as the Upper Stillwater Reservoir) which is in the Northeast corner of Garfield County near Yampa, CO. The initial reports were that a man had gone over the spillway of the reservoir and was found downriver deceased. Witnesses provided information that the decedent was on a personal pontoon boat and wind gusts became increasingly stronger moving the decedent and his boat towards the spillway. Mr. Whaley was not wearing a personal flotation device or a helmet.
Investigators with the Garfield County Coroner’s Office arrived to the scene at approximately 3:45 p.m. The recovery of the decedent was difficult. The decedent was in whitewater rapids approximately 350 yards from the spillway. Additionally, the embankments on both sides of Bear River were difficult to descend and ascend. Routt County Search and Rescue along with members of the coroner’s office, Yampa Fire Protection District, and two members of Colorado Parks & Wildlife, initiated a recovery involving a process that included installing a high line with ropes, pulleys, and personnel on both sides of the river. This allowed personnel to safely access the decedent and recover his remains. Once the decedent was brought to shore, personnel had to raise the decedent up the steep embankment using a rope system. Once the decedent was brought to the top of the river embankment, all personnel were able to leave the scene. Investigators with the coroner’s office transported the decedent to the Garfield County Coroner’s Office.
On June 17, 2024, members of Routt County Search and Rescue assisted by members of the Garfield County Search and Rescue and Yampa Fire Protection District, returned to the area to recover the decedent’s personal pontoon boat and other personal effects that were in the river.
On June 18, 2024, the Garfield County Coroner’s Office contract forensic pathologist performed an autopsy of the deceden. The decedent’s cause of death is due to the combined effects of drowning and injuries sustained in the incident. The decedent’s manner of the death is being investigated as an accident.
The Garfield County Coroner’s Office extends its condolences to the family of Mr. Whaley. Additionally, we are thankful for the response, expertise, and leadership provided by the Routt County Search and Rescue, Yampa Fire Protection District, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Routt County Sheriff’s Office, and the other members of the public that offered to help. No additional information will be provided by the Garfield County Coroner’s Office.
Respectfully,
Robert M. Glassmire
Garfield County Coroner
On June 16, Elbert resident Jerry Whaley, 46, was on a personal pontoon boat without a life jacket and helmet when wind gusts pushed him out of the reservoir and into a spillway that led to Bear River. Whaley ultimately died due to drowning and injuries sustained during the incident.
The recovery of Whaley's body was difficult, as he was located in whitewater rapids about 350 yards from the spillway. Steep and rugged embankments in the area were also difficult to ascend and descent. The recovery process involved installing a high line system with ropes, pulleys, and personnel on both sides of the river. This allowed crews to recover Whaley's body.
