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Jet boats: Too many, too big and too fast for river

The Upper Rogue is nothing like the river that goes down through Grants Pass — because other tributaries enlarge the river by a significant amount by the time you get down there.

This section is narrow, curvy and shallow in many ripples. Water flow is controlled by the Corp of Engineers at Lost Creek Lake to maintain a favorable temperature for salmon- and flood control.

When the Grimes started this business, they recognized the special nature of this section and that they would “never use a boat larger than 16 passengers” (prior Mail Tribune article for quote).

However, money makes people go beyond reason. So now, they use 25- and 18-seat jet boats and — if you want to take more than 50 people — they’ll add the original 10-seater.

All three together — roaring up the river, over ripples and around blind corners — it’s a fatality just waiting to happen.

There are only a handful of parks where one can pull out your raft, and many consider TouVelle the last option. All the agencies that are supposed to protect our river and its shared users keep pointing fingers at one another.

So apparently it’s legal to put your business loading ramps in the river at a state park that cancels your permit and nobody cares?

Jet boats use propulsion to “get up on plane” and can’t stop in shallow areas — 24 times a day. They’re too big, too frequent, too loud and dangerous! When is it enough?

Lisa James / White City

Jet boats cause safety, environmental problems

I recently read the Rogue Valley Times article regarding Rogue Jet Boats, which is now bringing to light to many citizens what a perilous situation these jet boats are creating.

I am so concerned of the safety to people floating the river and fishermen, to name a few.

Also, the damage these jet boats cause to the river itself is quite alarming. The wakes from the boats are causing the banks to erode, the wildlife is affected, not to mention the fish.

The noise from the boats is very disturbing. The jet boats are flying through areas that are residential, also most probably affecting the water supply to the city of Medford.

I am proposing to stop jet boats in these areas. There are large loading/unloading ramps for their patrons in the river. This is not what we want in our river, an amusement-type park that can and probably will cause injuries to the innocent.

Susan Krupa / Shady Cove

‘Grouchy, NIMBY humans’ trying to stop fun on river

Please allow us to spend part of our summer with our ex-pat at his ranch near Shady Cove. Everyone loves the jet boat ride to dinner.

Please don’t mess with such a wonderful adventure because of grouchy, NIMBY humans!

Kris Dahlin / Venice, California