For anyone interested in rafting, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, tubing, swimming or taking in tremendous beauty, this summer, the Animas River is an even more thrilling proposition than usual.
With the river running at 4,580 cubic feet per second Monday, local rafting companies said it has been years since this much water coursed through the tributary.
“Business is great. And it’s terrific for morale throughout the entire rafting community,” said Dan Bechtel of Mountain Waters Rafting.
“But the strong currents and cold water are concerns,” he said.
Emergency medical providers say outdoor enthusiasts should temper their enthusiasm with healthy caution.
And, as if on cue, a woman had to be plucked from the Animas River late Monday evening after jumping from Bakers Bridge.
“People need to have a little respect for the water and the conditions,” said Butch Knowlton, director of La Plata County Emergency Management. “People do things that jeopardize their safety. They’re not prepared. They’re not ready for the conditions, and that’s not good.”
Last week, a Farmington man, Jose Soto, 56, died on a Mild to Wild trip after his raft flipped in Smelter Rapid. While La Plata County Coroner Jann Smith said test results are pending, Leo Lloyd, emergency medical services captain with the Durango Fire Protection District, said Soto was reportedly underwater for only 30 seconds, suggesting he had a heart attack brought on by shock after he plunged into the cold river.
“It’s just incredibly sad,” said Alex Mickel, owner of Mild to Wild. “We didn’t know he had an underlying condition.”
Lloyd said it is easy to underestimate the danger posed by water at this time of year.
On Saturday, Devon Opalenik, 19, died in Silverton near Red Mountain Pass after crossing a creek on a snow bridge.
“The ice gave, and he got sucked under. It’s very scary. And he wasn’t even in the backcountry,” Lloyd said. “It happened just off the road. With these high volumes of water, the risks are just incredibly high, not just in the Animas, but in Lightner Creek and Junction Creek.”
Lloyd said earlier this year, EMS teams did manage to save the life of one man who had fallen into the Animas near Walmart.
“But he hadn’t been under water very long. We train for this stuff quite a bit. But on the river, things happen quickly. Often, the situation is resolved before we’re able to respond to the call. But the water is so cold, if you’re in for five minutes, your strength doesn’t mean anything,” he said.
Lloyd said when it comes to fatal river accidents, “hopefully nothing else will happen this year – but it probably will.”
With water levels this high, rafting companies – which are frequently the first to intervene when anyone gets into trouble on the river – are urging locals and tourists to be careful.
“This time of year, average flow for the river is probably 1,200 cfs. Today, we’re pushing 4,500 cfs,” said Casey Harper of Outlaw Rivers & Jeep Tours.
“Rafting the river is safe right now – as long as you know what you’re doing,” he said.
But, he said, “I wouldn’t recommend tubing for at least another month. The water is way too high and fairly cold right now.”
Mild to Wild’s Mickel said while it is typical to see the river engorge thanks to springtime runoff, “it’s been years since we’ve had prolonged high water levels like this. People can really enjoy it and have a great time so long as they’re prudent and take the proper precautions,” he said.
But as a rule, he said, when the water runs above 4,800 cfs, they don’t run Smelter Rapid.
Matt Wilson, of 4 Corners Whitewater, said peoples’ deep attraction to water means that they often underestimate its obvious dangers.
“And here in town, the river is so visible and there are so many people on it – of course, you get people who just don’t know what they’re doing.”
He said every year, he sees people without the right safety equipment, foolishly spurning life vests and wearing insufficient thermal gear.
“I’ve been boating since I was 17, and now I’m 37. I’ve had close calls. But you just have to have respect for the river: Don’t get in over your head,” he said.
cmcallister@durangoherald.com. Herald Staff Writer Patrick Armijo contributed to this report.
