UPDATE: Search for Missing NEIA Kayaker Altered by Weather, Water

The search for a northeast Iowa kayaker who went missing last weekend has been altered due to weather and high water.

Authorities have been looking for 39-year-old Justin Limkamenn of Frederika since he was reported missing Sunday afternoon.  He launched his kayak onto the Upper Iowa River around 2 pm on Saturday (05.18) and his last known location was on the river near the Freeport area, east of Decorah, at around 6 pm Saturday

The Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) later found a capsized kayak and several items belonging to Limkamenn in the middle of the river just below the Upper Dam. WCSO, the Decorah Fire Department, Winneshiek County Emergency Management, and Iowa DNR continued search and recovery efforts into Tuesday evening. 

Despite the use of a jet boat, sonar, and drone technology, and help from Christian Aid Ministries Search and Rescue Team from Illinois, search efforts were unsuccessful. 

After meeting with family members Wednesday morning, WCSO announced that due to mother nature and high-water levels, search and recovery efforts have been altered. Search and recovery efforts will continue throughout the next several days as conditions allow.

According to data from the National Weather Service in La Crosse, the Decorah area received over 2.5 inches of rain over Monday and Tuesday, with two-inches Tuesday alone.

According to a Facebook post by Limkamenn’s sister, Sarah Klages, it’s believed that her brother may have fallen asleep in the kayak before it likely went over the dam.