Man missing after 90-foot cliff jump into Lake Koocanusa

Lincoln County authorities are searching for a man who reportedly jumped off a cliff into Lake Koocanusa and failed to resurface on Monday evening.

Johnathan Orr, 47, was last seen jumping from a 90-foot cliff into the reservoir near Pinkham Creek north of the Koocanusa Bridge, according to Lincoln County Sheriff Darren Short.

Bystanders told deputies that Orr had been sitting near the water watching others jump from the cliff. Orr swam across the inlet and climbed to the top of the cliff and jumped.

A man who watched Orr jump said he immediately swam to the area of impact and searched for Orr when he did not resurface.

Can-Am Search and Rescue used two boats and two jet skis to search the area until dark on Monday. The search resumed with divers and boats Tuesday morning and continued throughout the day.

On Wednesday, canines from David Thompson Search and Rescue and CASAR arrived on scene, as well as additional divers from Flathead County Search and Rescue, along with a remote operated vehicle.

Short said the search was ongoing as of Wednesday afternoon.

The reservoir’s maximum depth is about 350 feet, with a mean depth of 125 feet, according to USGS data.