High Water Safety
The days are getting longer, the air warmer, and the pull towards the river cannot be ignored. It could be big water madness on the Lochsa or tubing through town on the Boise. The excitement of returning to our favorite stretches grows with every glance at the snowpack or river gauge. But with the runoff in full swing, sometimes mother nature delivers a little more than we may be used to or are expecting as we set off into swollen creeks and rivers. As tempting as the call of the river may be, it is vital to remember that with high water comes high risk.
Cat boaters in their natural habitat
Springtime means high water, and high water means cold swims, adrenaline fueled decision making, and being hyper aware of your surroundings. Accidents can occur at any point in the year, but right now is arguably when the stakes are highest. The team at Idaho Rivers United wanted to share a few high water safety tips for you and your crew as the boating season continues to ramp up.
High water dramatically changes the nature of the river. Stretches that you may be very comfortable with at normal summer flows become an entirely different experience with increased flows. Some harder rapids may become washed out and easier while typically benign rapids can punch well above their typical weight class. There is no exact science for this - when in doubt get out and scout!
Always paddle within your comfort zone and have a dialed crew. It can be tempting to push our limits in the spring but be honest with yourself and your skillset. High water is usually not the time to explore new stretches of river that you or your paddling team are unfamiliar with.
Tighten up boat spacing. It can be easy to get separated and lose line of sight with the rest of your team. Often we want ample space between boats but keeping the rest of your crew close can dramatically shorten a swim and make sure that everyone is aware of any hazards or incidents as they arise.
Establish clear and direct signals to communicate with your team. There could be new wood, the need to catch an eddy on the fly, or simply give clear beta on what the high water line may be through a rapid. Before launching, spend a few minutes to make sure everyone is on the same page with hand signals and whistle communication.
As rivers swell, wood starts to move around and the banks of the river may be full of strainers and other hazards. Be sure you and your crew have a safety plan in mind and know how to deal with the potential of a swimmer and what your best rescue options may be.
Make sure your gear is high water ready. High spring flows are not the place for old worn out PFDs or a leaky dry suit. Swims can be longer and more powerful than we’re used to and we need our safety gear to be ready to do its job and give us the buffer we may need for an out of boat experience or rescue.
Rig to flip and dress for the swim. Even as temps start to rise, be sure that you’re dressing for the potential of a prolonged immersion into the water. You can always cool off intentionally but if you find yourself in the water or working a rescue you will be happy you put on your extra layer at the put-in.
This list is by no means exhaustive and we strongly encourage everyone to invest the time to take a swiftwater rescue course if you haven’t in the past. We are lucky to have many world class instructors in our state and the skills and knowledge you’ll learn can certainly come into play at high water or at any time you find yourself on one of our amazing rivers.
