photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

A person sits on the dam just east of the northbound Kansas River Bridge as emergency crews approach, on Friday, July 25, 2025.

Updated at 12:16 a.m. Friday, July 25

Police and emergency crews responded Friday morning to the northbound bridge of the Kansas River near downtown Lawrence after a woman was seen trespassing on the dam near the Bowersock power plant.

Multiple first-responder vehicles were on scene before 9 a.m. after someone reported seeing her in the hazardous area, and she was helped to safety about an hour later.

“The woman ended up jumping in the water and we called (the sheriff’s office) for water support,” Laura McCabe, a spokesperson with the Lawrence Police Department, said in an email. “The dam operator was concerned about her safety and considered having to shut down operations.”

Numerous signs are posted around the power plant and dam warning of the hazards in the area.

Around 9 a.m. the woman could be seen huddled on a concrete structure near the dam’s rubber bladders just east of the bridge, and rescue workers were speaking to her.

Crews made verbal contact with the woman from both sides of the river, said McKenzi Ezell with Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical.

“During the incident, she entered the water above the dam and swam to a log jam under the southernmost bridge column,” Ezell said in an email. “A rescue boat, staffed by LDCFM and LKPD personnel, was able to reach her safely. She was brought to shore and evaluated by EMS.”

No injuries were reported to the woman or responding personnel.

The incident occurred at a time when water levels near the dam were lower than normal. Officials with the Bowersock Mills and Power Company had begun operations earlier this week to lower the level of the mill pond at the dam in order to facilitate maintenance on the dam.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Police respond to the northbound Kansas River Bridge on Friday, July 25, 2025.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Emergency crews respond to the northbound Kansas River Bridge area on Friday, July 25, 2025.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

A view of the Kansas River dam facing southwest, Friday, July 25, 2025.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

A view looking south near the Kansas River dam, where multiple signs prohibit trespassing and warn of dangers.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

A view looking south near the Kansas River dam, where multiple signs prohibit trespassing and warn of dangers.