Day/date: July 15, 1988




                              RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                                 FIELD INCIDENT REPORT

Incident type: Unexploded Ordinance
Log number: 88-140
Date/time of incident: 7/14, 2:30 pm  Date/time received: 7/15, 9 am
Park: Assateague Island  Location: North Guarded Beach
Reported by: Brion Fitzgerald, Chief Ranger, Assateague
Received by: Jon Anglin, RAD, WASO

Incident Summary
An NPS lifeguard discovered four barnacle covered 5" ordinance shells on
the guarded beach in the park. One shell still contained a fuse, the others
were too badly corroded to determine if they still contained fuses. The
beach was closed and the Army Emergency Ordinance Disposal (EOD) team from
Ft. Meade was called in. The EOD team removed the shells last night and
took them to Ft. Meade for disposal.

There is some possibility that this area was used as a Naval gunnery range
or ordinance dumping ground during World War II. It is believed that the
shells may have washed up from a deep hole just off shore. Attempts are
being made today to contact a Navy EOD team to do a sweep of the offshore
area for any additional shells.



                              RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                                 FIELD INCIDENT REPORT

Incident type: Drowning
Log number: 88-141
Date/time of incident: 7/14, 12,30 pm Date/time received: 7/15, 9:20 am
Park: Lowell                                            Location: Hamilton Canal
Reported by: J.T. Reynolds, RAD, NARO
Received by: Jon Anglin, RAD, WASO

Incident Summary
A park visitor heard a scream for help, went to the canal and saw a woman,
later identified as A.D., 27, disappear under the water. The
visitor attempted to rescue A.D. but was unable to locate her. He then
contacted the Lowell Police Department and NFS Rangers. Lowell Police
Department divers were dispatched and were also unable to locate A.D.
until the canal was drained. A.D.'s address was not given.



                              RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                                 FIELD INCIDENT REPORT

Incident type: Beach Closures
Log number: 88-142
Date/time of incident: 7/13 and 7/14  Date/time received: 7/15, 9:20 am
Park: Gateway                           Location: Staten Island, Great Kills and Miller
Field Beaches
Reported by: J.T. Reynolds, RAD, NARO
Received by: Jon Anglin, RAD, WASO

Incident Summary
Staten Island Beach was closed to swimming on July 13th due to the discovery
of hazardous medical debris. The debris contained vials of waste blood,
syringes, needles and other medical waste. Great Kills and Miller Field
Beaches were closed to all activities on July 14th due to the discovery of
similar medical debris on both beaches. Park officials plan to observe
several tidal cycles before re-opening the beaches.



                              RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                                 FIELD INCIDENT REPORT

Incident type: Mud Flow
Log number: 88-143
Date/time of incident: 7/14, 3 pm    Date/time received: 7/15, 1 pm
Park: Mount Rainier     Location: Tahoma Creek
Reported by: Mark Forbes, RAD, PNRO
Received by: Jon Anglin, RAD, wASO

Incident Summary
A jokulhlaups (mud flow) occurred about two miles below Round Pass on Tahoma
Creek on the afternoon of the 14th. Mud and debris from 18 inches to four
feet deep covered the entire Westside roadway for about 150 yards, stranding
21 visitors above the flow. All of them were able to walk out with
assistance from park personnel, and there were no reported injuries. A
helicopter was used to fly over the area to look for more stranded persons
and to observe the general flow pattern. Road crew personnel were able to
push their way through the debris, allowing the seven stranded vehicles to
exit the area.