The Missouri State Highway Patrol is warning residents to take extra precautions around lakes, rivers and ponds after reporting a substantial increase in water deaths so far this year. Between Jan. 1 and July 30, 2026, troopers said they responded to 27 drownings and 30 total water fatalities, figures that reflect an 80% rise in drownings and more than a 36% increase in total water fatalities compared with the same period in 2025.
What troopers are seeing on the water
Missouri troopers emphasize how quickly drowning can occur and that many incidents go unwitnessed. In many cases, a swimmer is "there one minute and gone the next," according to the release. Officials note that panic often follows quickly once a swimmer begins to struggle, reducing the chance that a flotation device can be reached in time.
Only one of the 30 recorded water fatalities so far this year was confirmed to have been wearing a personal flotation device. That statistic is at the center of the Highway Patrol's appeal to anyone spending time on or near water: wear a life jacket or keep a flotation device within immediate reach.
Safety steps troopers highlight
- Always wear a life jacket or have an adequate flotation device within arm’s reach.
- Watch for underwater hazards such as currents, drop-offs, rocks and vegetation.
- Avoid alcohol while swimming or operating a watercraft — it impairs judgment, balance and coordination.
- Children should form the habit of wearing life jackets around water; state law requires children under 7 to wear one while on a watercraft.
Troopers also caution that distances are hard to judge on open water and that currents or waves can make seemingly short swims far more dangerous. They point out that teenagers and adults commonly overestimate their abilities, and that life jackets and flotation devices are effective measures for preventing drownings whether a person is boating or simply swimming from a shoreline or dock.
Numbers at a glance
| Period | Drownings | Total water fatalities |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 1–July 30, 2025 | — | — |
| Jan. 1–July 30, 2026 | 27 | 30 |
| Change from 2025 | +80% | +36%+ |
As the state moves into what is typically the hottest stretch of summer, the Highway Patrol urged Missourians to prepare before heading to the water and to make safety a priority for family outings. For parents and caretakers, that includes insisting young children wear approved life jackets and supervising swimmers closely. For boaters and anglers, that means maintaining life jackets on board and sober operation of vessels.
Local emergency responders and hospitals can be strained by a cluster of severe water incidents, and a rise in fatalities by this point in the year signals heightened risk through the rest of the season. Troopers say prevention — especially the use of personal flotation devices — remains the best line of defense.
Residents planning water recreation should review safety advice from the Highway Patrol and local agencies and ensure proper flotation devices are available and worn when appropriate.
