Press Release – Basswood Lake water emergency

Lake County Sheriff’s Office Media Release

June 6, 2024

Basswood Lake, Boundary Waters Canoe Area, Water Emergency

On June 4, 2024 at 1536 hours (3:36 pm), Lake County Dispatch received a call of a Boy Scout group with an overturned canoe on Basswood Lake.  Four juveniles and one adult male had made it to an island, while four more juveniles and another adult male were on the mainland.    No injuries were reported at this point.

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) notified Dispatch that they also had been contacted by the campers and advised them that rescue plans were in the works, and the group was advised to stay put. OPP advised that they would be on standby if their assistance was needed, but due to the weather they were unable to assist with any air assets.

Rescue units were dispatched and USFS was contacted for assistance. Due to the approaching storm front, it was decided that for the safety of all, rescue crews would go in to assist the following morning.

At 1759 hours (5:59 pm), OPP notified Dispatch that they had been in contact with the adult via Garmin and were advised that the campers had been rescued and they no longer needed assistance from law enforcement or rescue.

No additional information is available at this time.