(KCPW News) The commission that oversees preservation and improvements along the Jordan River is calling on the public to take extreme caution while recreating along the river during this particularly high runoff season. Laura Hanson, Executive Director of the Jordan River Commission, says canoeing, boating and playing near the water are really dangerous this time of year.
“Even if you’re just hanging out on the edge, if you step too close you could easily fall into the river,” says Hanson. “A lot of places, when the water is moving this fast, it actually cuts out the banks on the edge of the river, and so there are places where it looks like its solid ground but underneath that the water is carving under the bank.”
Hanson says the commission is seeking help from municipalities and local groups to address these hazards.
“We’re working on developing some standards for bridges to make sure that there’s enough clearance. We’re working together to remove structures within the river that are potentially dangerous and no longer useful or needed and also working on creating some standards on where to put in boat launching docks and things like that,” says Hanson.
A boy scout narrowly escaped drowning this week while canoeing the river. Hanson adds there is a good chance homes in the flood plains that aren’t protected by levies and berms will see some flooded basements.
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