This year Pringle Falls has claimed 2 lives in 2 separate incidents. Both apparent accidents where the boater did not know or understand the dangers ahead. Pringle Falls to many seem like a great white water trip. However, it is a fall - although not high it is a water fall. I am not sure of the distance but it is spread out for a long stretch of the Big Deschutes River.
I can remember one of my first boating excursions on the Big Deschutes River coming up to the warning signs and knowing that we had to turn around and go back upstream.
The latest casualty brought not only the loss of the canoeist but a dangerous recovery of the boat and body. This fall when Wickiup Dam quits letting so much water out of the reservoir the log jam will be removed. The logs will remain in the river along the sides to create the natural habitat for the fish and other wildlife but it will not go from side to side.
This will not make traveling this section of the river any safer, it is hoped that it will make recovery and rescue safer. For more information read Two Drowning Deaths Prompt Log Jam Removal.
Well, I guess I won't be doing much canoeing down there. :) I hope everyone heeds the warnings to stay safe.
Thesa: This is truly another re-creation of both the beauty and the beast that rivers can be. How something like this can be avoided in the future, I do not know. I know that simply acting prudently would most assuredly help... but we both know how quickly sane ideas like that often get thrown out the window. Take care...
Thesa - that's too bad... people should heed warnings when they see them and exercise caution. Hopefully moving the logs will reduce the fatality number to zero!
Thesa, this is too bad, white water rafting can be dangerous depending on how they classify the river, what is the class of this river? I think novices forget to check the grade of the river and accidents can happen. One of my friends here, lost her dad that way.
Excellent photo of the river...almost looks like some white water rapids and I can almost see people riding the waves!
Sad...but important reminder of the dangers that lurk in the water. It is crucial to be educated and prepared. I also love the photo!! GBU!
Hi Thesa,
Oh, so sorry to hear about that. I've done some whitewater rafting and kayaking myself. I've got a lot of respect for water in situations like that.
Thesa, great post about the dangers there. People look at our rivers and see wonderful chances for recreation. One thing they don't realize is beside being swift, they are darn cold too. That takes a lot of the chances away from someone that falls in. Take care,
What a gorgeous shot of a dangerous beauty!!! So many people have no clue of the danger....