FAYETTEVILLE -- Rescue workers continued searching today for a man missing in Beaver Lake.
Kyle Curry, Washington County's deputy director of emergency services, said at noon the search was ongoing.
"The teams are still out in the water and we're using sonar to try and help with the search," Curry said. "I'm trying to set up a warming station for the divers so they can have someplace to warm up and get hydrated when they have to come up."
Curry said Wednesday morning search conditions were less than optimal. The air temperature was about 45 degrees at noon.
"The water temperature yesterday was 55 degrees on the surface and 47 degrees a few feet down," Curry said. "Visibility was poor last night. The divers were going in and physically sweeping the area."
Kelly Cantrell, public information officer for the Washington County Sheriff's Office, said at 12:25 p.m. the victim has been identified, but his name was not being released.
The Sheriff's Office was notified of the possible drowning about 5:40 p.m. Tuesday.
Search and rescue workers from Washington County, the Sheriff's Office and dive team, the Nob Hill Fire Department dive team, Arkansas Game & Fish and Central Emergency Medical Services all went to land near Point 12, off War Eagle Blacktop Road. The Benton County Sheriff's Office sent a team to join in the search and rescue effort about 9 p.m.
Divers spent time in the water searching and boats equipped with sonar were being used.
The search was suspended about 11 p.m. Tuesday and resumed at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.
The Army Corps of Engineers opened spillways partway at the dam this morning. John Luther, Washington County's emergency services director, said opening the spillways should not hinder the search.
The most recent fatality on Beaver Lake was March 9 when Jeffrey A. Wolfe, 57, of Rogers, was found floating face down in the lake and later pronounced dead at a Bentonville hospital.
According to a news release from the Game and Fish Commission, a boat was found in the water near the Arkansas 12 boat ramp. A trailer and vehicle were found at the ramp with the vehicle still running. Wolfe's body was found about 50 yards from the shoreline. The cause of Wolfe's death was not immediately known, according to the release, and toxicology test results would not be available for six to eight weeks from the time of his death.
NW News on 03/21/2019