Spencer isn't listed among the carbon monoxide casualties. Neither are the 57 bodies that, since the lake was created by Glen Canyon Dam in 1963, slipped beneath the surface and have never been found. But before then, there were an awful lot of death certificates that listed 'unknown' or 'accidental' for deaths all over this lake. Boat experts in the area estimate that about half of the vessels have design problems that could trap the deadly gas. On many houseboats, exhaust from gasoline-powered generators vent to the rear, where it often is trapped under swimming platforms.
Many newer boats have side vents that allow the exhaust to escape.
More deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning wouldn't surprise Red Foster of Page, whose aging Kayot pontoon boat is one of more than 800 houseboats parked in the slips at Wahweap Marina. Foster purchased his used houseboat 13 years ago from a boating concessionaire. I also use a lot of common sense with it, like not going in that area if there's not a breeze and always making sure there's circulation if the rear door on the boat is open. But Foster said that common sense is the last thing on the minds of the hundreds of thousands of revelers who rent houseboats at the lake. They get a short course in how to start and steer the boat, and then they take off.