Another Spring river Drowning & update on the last.

[R_Corter]

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/a ... wns-Hardy/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;




Update on the last one
http://www.areawidenews.com/story/1749510.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[bmartin]

Wow so many tragedies this year on the Spring. I can't imagine having my wife die in my arms pinned under water. Thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families.

[ARzach]

"local officials are trying to get the Army Corps of Engineers to fill in holes underwater to prevent more accidents."

Interesting...

Such a sad thing for the families and friends of those lost. My condolences to all.

RIP

--Zach

[Deuce]

"local officials are trying to get the Army Corps of Engineers to fill in holes underwater to prevent more accidents."

Interesting...

Such a sad thing for the families and friends of those lost. My condolences to all.

RIP

--Zach

Yeah, I noticed that as well. Wonder how they'd approach that. Doesn't seem like something that would be within Corps purview. So sad.

[DeBo]

The Spring river has an enormous watershed that feeds into underground springs which keep the river running all year. These springs were recharged by the massive flooding we had earlier in the year and because of this the river has maintained an unusually high level all summer.

At Rec School this year I watched many rental boats running over ledges with water falls on them that are usually completely dry by June. With so many routes open, people end up in strange places that haven't been explored for hazards and normally benign spots are carrying a much more powerful current.

I have deep sympathy for those who have lost loved ones.

[Cowper]

One article said four drownings this summer. Based on some quick internet searches, I think the average rate is less than one per year. I think DeBo is correct; the higher water levels have been less forgiving. The graph shows it - levels all summer have been consistently high, up to twice the average flow.

Further analysis seems inappropriate right now, but if anyone has friends headed to the Spring, please urge them to use extra caution and if they are inexperienced, take the time to talk to them about things like PFD's, foot entrapments and the dangers of trying to stand up in fast moving water.

My condolences to the families.

[nickcoleman85]

Alright guys. I have been unable to post because of lack of much Internet access here in Hardy. I have been up here since last Tuesday. I have a cabin at Rio Vista where quite a few accidents have happened. Most of these accidents and deaths are freak deals or where drinking is involved. The amount of traffic this river receives this time of the year tends to account for more accidents. On average, I believe there are probably 2-3 drownings here a year. I have been coming here every year and it this is nothing out of the ordinary. I'm at the bottom stretch of the river near the hardy bridge and there are accidents here nearly every year. At this spot there is an option to go right or left with signs telling paddlers to go left because of some of the dangers of the falls and swimmers below. People still go right (obviously). When this happens, people tend to flip their boat, get stuck, and get themselves in compromising positions. Especially concerning for the more inexperienced paddlers (the majority going down the river). That being said, getting the core to blow up this section and fill in holes will not solve the problem. They would then have to do they same very every ledge and series of rapids on the river. Moreover, I would be huge outcry from the Rio Vista community If they tried something like this. This Won't ever happen.

When I can, I'll provide more details and pictures of the waterfall section. As it is, I'm working with a small smartphone and it's difficult to do so.




Regardless, I feel for the family and hope less of these accidents happens in the future.

[paddledog]

getting the core to blow up this section and fill in holes will not solve the problem. This Won't ever happen.

Saddler Falls (aka dead man's curve) at one time was a 6 foot sheet falls. It was dynamited and concreted to get the current arrangement. This happened about 15 years ago. I don't know by whom, but only that it did happen.

[Deuce]

getting the core to blow up this section and fill in holes will not solve the problem. This Won't ever happen.

Saddler Falls (aka dead man's curve) at one time was a 6 foot sheet falls. It was dynamited and concreted to get the current arrangement. This happened about 15 years ago. I don't know by whom, but only that it did happen.

Wow. Did not know that. Grew up going to the Spring but haven't been there, at least that section, in many years.

[nickcoleman85]

I stand corrected. Nevertheless, I don't believe they'll blow up horseshoe falls around Rio Vista in Hardy. The outcry from the surrounding area would be overwhelming.

They did blow all those levees in MO with alot of public outcry, but I think this is a little different.

[R_Corter]

http://www.katv.com/story/15271760/ark- ... d-to-death" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[BMuu]

Tragic