: I was wondering about the conditions there, so I did a little Google search.
: The bridge is just below the dam. The dam's water output fluctuates over
: the course of the day, so at times the clearance under the bridge is
: pretty good, like in this picture:
: http://www.dickestel.com/images/pinefl3.jpg

: and at times, it is pretty tight. http://www.krcd.org/image/1a.jpg

: Below is a picture that appears to show a prime kayak launch site. This is
: just downriver of the bridge. All boating and swimming is prohibited, and
: I bet that's what these signs say. I wonder why they make it so easy for
: people to launch boats here, if it's forbidden. I wonder if conditions
: changed on the first kayaker after he launched, and if he got trapped
: there when floodgates were opened. I also wonder if they could have turned
: the dam off if they saw someone trapped under the bridge, or if there is a
: spillway that always has a water flow. It would be neat if they could just
: turn the water off to let the trapped kayaker walk out of a dry river bed
: to safety.

: I guess none of it matters much. If the first kayaker had to walk past these
: signs to put into the water, he is fully responsible for the death of his
: rescuer.

Hi Dan

I don't believe this is the bridge they are talking about... The Forestry doesn't usually let ANYONE in that section of water during run-off. Sometimes they don't have much control of water flow as it's a small dam on a very large lake and it's usually over the top of the flood-gates just to keep the water from breeching the dam. I was thinking it was the one near Piadra and before the recreation area.. ?? The 75' rope mentioned has be baffled as none of them need that distance, but I guess it was what someone had at the time.

I think I'll take a ride up there this weekend ( it's about a 20 to 30 minute drive ) and see which bridge they were talking about... and maybe get a picture. ???

Most of the drownings here are from Swift, Cold water... people get knocked off innertubes or swimmers get too far out into the current..

I agree that the victim should have taken some time to size up the situation before leaping in, but when someone is screaming for help, we don't always tend to stop and think... just want to help save a life.

Rehd