Body of missing boater found

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said the body of a missing boater from Idaho Falls was found early Sunday morning.

Sheriff Blair Olsen said he was notified around 8 a.m. from the Water Master of the Butte Market Lake Canal that he had spotted a body in debris near a head gate in Roberts. The body was identified as Mason Empey of Idaho Falls. The body was recovered about 19 to 20 miles downstream from where the incident initially occurred.

Empey, 21, was last seen June 29 on the South Fork of the Snake River. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said Empey and his friend launched a raft at the Heise boat launch to fish downstream to the Lorenzo boat dock. About 1 mile upstream from the boat dock Empey tried to get an oar that had fallen in the river and he fell overboard. Deputies said due to the swift water he was not able to get back on the raft. His friend was able to make it to shore to call for help.