Richmond Celebrates Memorial Day! Reminders for the James River…
It's Memorial Day weekend and the unofficial start to summer and people will begin to flock to the James River. Remember, there are several dams and other obstacles which could ruin your day. I have found safety tips from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Services.
Lowhead dams are deceptively dangerous. The public should exercise extreme caution when in the vicinity of such dams. Virginia has several lowhead dams on rivers throughout the state. Over the years, houseboats, fishing vessels, powerboats, sailboats, PWC, kayaks, and canoes have all fallen victim to lowhead dams
Danger lurks above and below the dam. Water flowing over a drop forms a hole or hydraulic at the base which can trap objects washing over the drop. Backwash or recirculating current is formed below the dam. Once swept over the dam, a victim becomes trapped and is forced underwater, pushed away from the dam, then circulated to the top. The circulating motion then repeats the cycle over and over again as the individual is drawn back against the base of the dam.
Dangers to Boaters:
Dams are difficult to spot from upstream and often are not marked by signs or buoys.
Look out for concrete retaining walls which are part of the dam structure and easier to spot.
• Portage around all dams.
When portaging, re-enter the river at a point well downstream of the boil.
It is nearly impossible to escape the strength of the hydraulic when trapped. The best thing to do if in this situation is to tuck the chin down, draw the knees up to the chest with arms wrapped around them.
Hopefully, conditions will be such that the current will push the victim along the bed of the river until swept beyond the boil line and released by the hydraulic.
If attempting a rescue of a trapped person, always wear a lifejacket. Throw a line from shore to the person in danger. Untrained rescuers should never approach the hydraulic in a boat. Call for help if possible.