Bear Lake Regional Park will close Friday as search and recovery operations continue for a paddleboarder who disappeared in the lake approximately one week ago.
The paddleboarder went missing on July 24 after dropping below the water surface and not resurfacing. The individual was not wearing a life jacket at the time of the incident.
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Operations Team and search and rescue volunteers conducted recovery efforts Thursday, beginning in early morning hours and continuing into the early afternoon. Despite the deployment of divers, remotely operated vehicles, sonar equipment, and aerial drones during a three-day search operation from Friday through Sunday, the body was not recovered.
Search Conditions Prove Challenging
Low visibility, deep silt, aquatic vegetation, and subsurface hazards have complicated recovery efforts throughout the operation. These environmental factors have significantly limited the effectiveness of search teams working to locate the missing individual.
Search operations were temporarily suspended after Sunday as officials reassess conditions and determine whether additional recovery efforts can safely proceed. Authorities will continue to evaluate safety considerations, weather patterns, and current lake conditions before deciding on the timing and scope of any resumed operations.
The closure marks the second consecutive day the regional park will be closed to accommodate search activities. Residents and visitors should monitor official updates from Spokane County authorities regarding any changes to park access or search schedule.
This incident underscores ongoing water safety concerns in North Idaho. Coast Guard Auxiliary units regularly conduct multi-agency rescue drills on nearby Lake Pend Oreille to maintain readiness for water emergencies in the region.