My latest story – and first for Missouri Life – is a feature about Booker DeRousse, a commercial diver known as the “Aquatic Cowboy” who navigates the murky, dangerous waters of the Ozarks to recover lost treasures and repair critical infrastructure, all while choosing happiness over money. Come behind the scenes with me.
Read the full story in Missouri Life → “Aquatic Cowboy of the Ozarks”
Behind the Story
I stood on the bank of a lake in Lee’s Summit, camera in hand, preparing to shoot a very different kind of subject than my usual assignments. I was there to observe Booker DeRousse—better known across Missouri as the “Aquatic Cowboy”—and his dive team as they executed a commercial lake inspection project hired out by a local Parks and Recreation department. After walking away from a lucrative career as a custom home builder to intentionally chase happiness over money, he found his ultimate purpose chartering boats on and executing dive jobs in these dark, muddy waters.
Unlike the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean, the water here in Missouri is notoriously murky, offering near-zero visibility. I snapped photos as Booker and his fellow diver, local firefighter Cody Mettler, methodically suited up on the shoreline, strapping on scuba gear and loading up a kayak for the job. Their preparation is a strict, highly calculated routine. I documented them checking their buoyancy control devices (BCDs), regulators, and specialized, blunt-tipped dive knives designed to ensure they can blindly cut themselves free from submerged fishing line or debris without accidentally piercing their own equipment.
Their mission for the day wasn’t a high-speed rescue, but a meticulous underwater survey of a submerged intake pipe. Because the water is so dark on many Missouri jobs, DeRousse explained that it is often easier for the divers to just close their eyes completely and operate by feel, preventing their brains from panicking or playing tricks on them in the pitch-black water. Watching them wade into the water to launch a dive kayak and drop their weighted lines, it struck me how much this job relies entirely on physical sensation. Witnessing this blindly navigated inspection firsthand cemented exactly why the Aquatic Cowboy is the one people call when things go awry in the state’s waterways.
About Missouri Life
Missouri Life is a travel and lifestyle magazine dedicated to highlighting the best of the Show-Me State. It features content covering charming small towns, urban gems, unique dining experiences, and the state’s rich heritage and culture. Beyond travel, the magazine introduces readers to notable Missourians, local authors, and a comprehensive calendar of events, serving as a guide for everything from romantic getaways and family-friendly day trips to exploring historical sites.
My editor was Tara Clarkson, design by Rachel Goodbee, fact-checking by Danita Allen Wood.
Read the full story in Missouri Life → “Aquatic Cowboy of the Ozarks”
Photos from the Field
