Search Continues for Man Missing in Banks Lake

The search continues in Banks Lake in Grant County, for a man who jumped off a boat last Thursday.  The latest focus is outlined in red in the map image.

    Divers, Search Teams, Have Not Yet Found the Man

The Grant County Sheriff’s Office was notified about the man, said to be in his 30’s, who was recreating near Northrup Point on the lake, south of Electric City.  He jumped off a boat into the water, but never came back up.

The  GCSO said the jump was considered recreational, no disturbance reported on board,  no word if he was wearing a life jacket.

     The Search Continues

Banks Lake, a man-made 27 mile long body of water, is in both Douglas and Grant Counties.  It’s max depth is 177 feet, average depth for the entire body of water is 46.

Authorities have changed the search to a recovery mission, but persistent efforts have not turned up the victim.  Monday, divers spent 11 hours in the water, along with other efforts over the weekend.

Tuesday, August 4th, they planned to resume the search.  The lake doesn’t have any naturally occuring currents, other than those caused by wind, although some movement occurs from irrigation water that’s pumped in.  Officials say the 27-mile long lake does present a challenge when searching for a missing person.

The depth also presents challenges, especially if a drowning victim sank to the bottom.