The Dangers of Boating in Flooded Waters

6/6/2019 (Permalink)

Trees and brush get caught on bridges, creating a hazardous station for boaters.

The flooding this year has put a damper on the nice weather we are having, especially for those of us who like to spend time on the water. It was a long, cold winter and our rivers and lakes were to be our escape! But with a record number of days at flood stage, our spring water activities have been put on hold. While it may be tempting to get out on the water with our boats, canoes or kayaks, it is extremely dangerous to do so. Below are a number of reasons not to try boating on flood stage waters:

• Debris: As the water rises on the banks of a river, the water starts to pull debris into its flow from the riverside. This debris can be made up of any possible object along the riverside such as fallen trees or parts of fallen structures. All of these objects are extremely hazardous to boaters and often hard to see.
• Strainers: These are made up of trees and logs that become lodged in a river or stream. Boats can easily become hung up on these hazards.
• Bridge abutments: As debris gets caught on bridges, it creates significant hazards for boaters. These blockages can even spread to completely block channels with debris. Bridge abutments can even cause treacherous water conditions without debris catch, as the resistance between the water and the structure creates high currents.
• Murky waters: Because flooding stirs up a lot of mud and sediment, the water will be very murky. For this reason, it is impossible to see hazards that are potentially below the service. In this way, it may seem safe above the water as a dangerous situation lurks below.

Stay safe this season and wait for the flooding to go down before boating!