River temperatures, levels not inviting, but officials offer tips

By KAREN WILKINSON, The Eureka Reporter

May 25 2008 

Though summer activities traditionally start this Memorial Day weekend, the cold river temperatures and high levels has enticed local officials to warn the public of their hidden dangers.

“All the rivers right now have snow melt, so they’re all cold,” Six Rivers National Forest River Manager Bob Hemus said. “They’re all going to be cold unfortunately, but I’ve seen people swim in them.”

The above-average snow pack this year has trickled down to North Coast rivers, and the Trinity River is especially high right now, as the Bureau of Reclamation is releasing large volumes of water to help fish migration.

“And that could be dangerous for people who aren’t used to that, which should trigger people to be more on their guard,” Hemus said.

River temperatures are running between 50 and 60 degrees, Hemus said, but traveling inland helps bring those numbers up.

“The farther inland, the warmer the water will be,” he said.

Other than the two men who recently died in local rivers while attempting to evade deputies from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, no one has accidentally died in Humboldt County rivers so far this year, County Coroner Frank Jäger said. But it’s still early.

“Historically, when you look over records, you have two to three drownings in the Trinity or Eel River in the summer months,” Jäger said. “I don’t suspect this year will be any different.”

A Crescent City man drowned last weekend just north of the county line in the Klamath River , after a boat capsized near the river mouth. Officials said he wasn’t wearing a life jacket, which may have saved his life.

“Those are disappointing because most are preventable,” Jäger said. “It’s really sad to have to deal with the families and the people left behind.”

Last year, there were six drownings in the county, two of which were intoxicated people who fell into creeks, Jäger said. But no one died in any of the main rivers, which is unusual given the traditional rates.

“Last year we were fortunate, we didn’t have any drownings in the Trinity,” Jäger said. “That was an anomaly, usually we have more than that.”

For those outdoor enthusiasts who can’t stay away from the rivers, Hemus recommends the south fork of the Trinity River , the Salmon River (in Siskiyou County ) and the Smith River (Del Norte County).

“The Trinity really scares me because it’s going so fast,” he said. “If I went to the river this weekend, I’d be extra cautious — being aware of the river and the force of the water.”

Some safety tips to keep in mind while at the river:

+ River currents can be dangerous and may be stronger than they look. If you find yourself caught in a current, float on your back, and keep your feet downstream until the current weakens and you can swim to shore.

+ Jumping or falling into cold water, because of the initial shock and rapid heat loss that follows, is especially dangerous and can lead to hypothermia.

+ For anglers wearing waders, a belt should be secured around the top of the waders to prevent water from filling up the boots of a person who should accidentally fall or slip into the water or is caught by swift currents.

+ Wear a life jacket for all river activities.

+ Keep a close eye on children even if they are far from the water. They can quickly enter the water and get in trouble when your attention is diverted for only a moment. Children should always wear a life jacket when in or around the water.

+ Don’t go into the water after someone in trouble. Rescue from shore and get help.

+ High river levels and strong flows can often create new hazards such as submerged logs; boulder movement can also change river hydraulics.

+ Have a “designated watcher” with a cell phone or two-way radio.

+ Anytime a person comes to a national forest for recreation, it is recommended they inform a responsible person of their location and planned return time.

+ Six Rivers National Forest Recreation Officer and River Manager Bob Hemus asks people to phone 530-627-3291 or their nearest Forest Service office to find out the latest river conditions and other safety information pertinent to their visit.

For more information, contact the Water Safety Coalition of Northwest California at www.fs.fed.us/r5/sixrivers/recreation/water-safety.

Source: Water Safety Coalition of Northwest California

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